Ollie Robinson has been cleared to join the England squad for the one-off Test against Ireland next week but is unlikely to feature despite scans on his left ankle showing no obvious injury.
The 29-year-old is viewed as central to England’s chances of regaining the Ashes this summer and the sight of him on crutches and wearing a moon boot over the weekend – halfway through the Division Two match between Sussex and Glamorgan – set alarm bells ringing.
But while Robinson has experienced discomfort in the joint while walking – not, curiously, when running – a scan on Monday evening came back all clear. The pain is understood to relate to tendon irritation. Robinson, writing on Instagram on Tuesday morning before England confirmed the news, said: “Good start to the season with @sussexccc, now on to the international summer.”
England have indicated he is unlikely to be risked for four-day Test against Ireland that starts at Lord’s on 1 June. Matthew Potts, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes are all fit and firing but Jimmy Anderson is also touch and go following a recent groin niggle.
Mark Wood, the other seamer in the 15-man squad, has returned from the Indian Premier League and is awaiting the birth of his second child, with England now weighing up whether to add any cover. If so, Sam Cook, the uncapped Essex right-armer, and Lancashire’s Saqib Mahmood are possible contenders.
Robinson’s start to the season has not been plain-sailing, even if his quality has shone through with the ball when he has featured. The right-armer underwent an injection in his troublesome lower back in order to play and also experienced a bout of cramp during his side’s visit to Worcestershire a fortnight ago.
That match also returned 14 wickets, however, and in his three county outings overall he has claimed 20 victims at an average of 13.65. Against Glamorgan he also removed Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne lbw with the first ball he bowled to him – a promising sign for England before the five-Test Ashes that starts at Edgbaston from 16 June.
England have already lost Jofra Archer for the entire summer – his elbow stress fracture having returned – while Olly Stone is battling to make a late appearance in the series after a hamstring tear suffered at Nottinghamshire ruled him out of the first Test.
