Robinson cleared to join England squad after ankle scan reveals no damage

The seamer reported discomfort in the ankle after day two of Sussex’s LV= Insurance County Championship match against Glamorgan at Hove last week. He left the field on day three with soreness and sported crutches and a protective boot on day four leading to fears about his fitness to face Australia next month.

With James Anderson also nursing a minor groin strain, and queries over whether captain Ben Stokes can operate fully as an allrounder given his long-standing left knee issue – as well as more significant injuries to Jofra Archer and Olly Stone – there were concerns England would be understocked in the bowling reserves with an Ashes series on the horizon.

However, following scans on Monday, the ECB has announced that all is well. Robinson, who has 16 caps to his name and is the ICC’s No. 6-ranked Test bowler, will prepare with the men’s national team as usual from this weekend.

An ECB statement read: “Scan results have revealed no damage to the ankle and that Robinson will join up with the England men’s Test squad this weekend ahead of the LV= Insurance Test match against Ireland starting on Thursday, June 1 at Lord’s.”

Robinson’s soreness resulted from tendon irritation, which will be monitored over the next week and coming week. As such, it is highly likely he will now miss the Ireland Test, which begins in nine days, to preserve him for the opening Test against Australia at Edgbaston starting on Jine 16.

Anderson and fast bowler Mark Wood are also expected to sit out against Ireland, which means England are likely to go in with a seam attack of Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Matthew Potts. The selectors are yet to decide whether to call in bowling reinforcements, with a decision to be made one way or another later this week.

Vithushan Ehantharajah is an associate editor at ESPNcricinfo