'He's Done...,' English Great Steve Harmison Asserts Ollie Robinson's Finished

image-lk0qpaibRobinson suffered back spasms on Day 1 of the Headingley Test. (AP Photo)

Former England pacer Steve Harmison has raised concerns about Ollie Robinson's fitness for the ongoing Ashes series, suggesting that it may be over for him due to the potential risks involved. Robinson has participated in all three games of the ongoing five-match Ashes series, managing to secure a total of 10 wickets with an average of 28.40.

This is not the first time Robinson has experienced such issues, as similar problems affected him during the previous Ashes series in 2021-22 and the subsequent West Indies tour.

Harmison drew attention to this pattern, expressing his belief that history is repeating itself. He refrained from speculating on the precise state of Robinson's fitness or whether these injuries are purely unfortunate. However, he emphasized that England cannot afford to take the risk of playing him without ensuring his full recovery.

"He's done for me; I think he's done in the Ashes. I think history has repeated itself. He came into the last Ashes and wasn't able to bowl the overs he could do because of his body. I'm not going to speculate on where he is from a fitness point of view or whether it's just unfortunate that these injuries have come. But England can't afford to take the risk," Steve Harmison was quoted as saying by TalkSport.

With only two games remaining in the series, which England must win, Harmison stressed the importance of selecting the best bowlers. While acknowledging Robinson's abilities, he emphasized that fitness is a prerequisite for being one of the top choices.

"With two games left in the series that we have to win, we have to pick the best bowlers. Ollie is one of them but he's got to be fit to be one of them," he added.

As England's leading wicket-taker, James Anderson, awaits his return to the team for the fourth Ashes Test at his home ground of Old Trafford, Ollie Robinson appears to be the likely candidate to make way, given the comebacks of Mark Wood and Chris Woakes in the previous Headingley Test.