Highlights:
- England’s Ollie Robinson suspended from all International Cricket formats
- Robinson’s “disciplinary” probe is pending and he will remain suspended until it is completed
- investigation into racist and sexist Twitter messages, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Sunday
Ollie Robinson of England is going to miss his next week’s second week Test match against New Zealand at Edgbaston after he was handed a suspension from all international cricket pending an investigation into the racist and sexist Twitter messages, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Sunday.
The Sussex quick Robinson made an impressive on-field England debut in the drawn first Test which was played on Sunday at the Lord’s Cricket ground. However, his efforts with bat and ball were overshadowed by the re-emergence of the racist and sexist social media messages from the 27-year-old had posted as a teenager back in 2012 and 2013.
In the statement, the ECB said, “England and Sussex bowler Ollie Robinson has been suspended from all international cricket pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation following historic tweets he posted in 2012 and 2013”.
It added, “He will not be available for selection for the LV= Insurance second Test against New Zealand starting at Edgbaston on Thursday 10 June.
“Robinson will leave the England camp immediately and return to his county”.
The Right-arm medium-fast bowler led England’s bowling attack with 4/75 in the 1st innings at Lord’s and in the second innings performed 3/26 which also knocking 42 runs with his bat.
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However, he soon found himself making an unreserved apology after stumps on Wednesday, his first day in Test cricket, for tweets that included comments suggesting Muslim people were linked to terrorism and derogatory remarks about women and people of Asian heritage.
His messages re-emerged on the social media after both teams lined up before play on Wednesday for a “Moment of Unity” which was designed to show their opposition to discrimination, with England wearing T-shirts stating “Cricket is a game for everyone”.
In the statement, the 27 year old Robinson, said he was “embarrassed” and “ashamed” of his posts which he issued after play on Wednesday.
He added, “I want to make it clear that I’m not racist and I’m not sexist”.
Joe Root, Captain of England Cricket team, spoke on the matter after Stumps on Sunday but before Robinson was suspended, said of the tweets: “I couldn’t believe them, personally”.
Root, however, added Robinson had shown a “lot of remorse” that was “very genuine”.
Turning to the first match as a Test player of Robinson, on the field at Lord’s, the skipper said: “He has had an exceptional debut.
“He’s showed high levels of skill and he’s definitely got the game that can be successful in Test cricket”.
However, the skipper insisted, “In regards to the stuff that’s happened off the field, it’s not acceptable within our game. We all know that.”
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As for the suggestions that the ECB should have investigated Robinson’s social media history prior to his England debut, Root said: “We can look back about how this could have been handled better, but the fact is it shouldn’t have happened.
“And if we continue to keep trying to better the game right now, then in years to come this shouldn’t be an issue.
“We’ve got to move forward from this, learn from this and do everything we can to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Robinson has a separate employment contract with Sussex which makes him free to play, if selected, for the south coast county during his international suspension.