Ollie Robinson was branded 'exceptional' by team-mate Josh Tongue after both pace bowlers bagged five-wicket hauls as England bowled Pakistan out for 171 runs on day one of the first Test match at Headingley. After Tongue snared Mohammad Abbas to wrap up Pakistan's first innings, he and Robinson walked off the field holding hands, discussing who between them would take the match ball home. Instead, they opted to split the ball in half, employing the help of the grounds staff to cut the ball through its seam.
"It's not often you get half a ball," Robinson told the ECB. "So it's something we'll remember forever. It's quite unique." At stumps on day one, England were left trailing the visitors by only 59 runs, with returning captain Joe Root and Jordan Cox set to return to bat in the morning with their side on 112-2, after Ben Duckett (15) and Emilio Gay (33) were both dismissed by Abbas and Mohammad Ali.
Robinson kickstarted proceedings in incredible fashion, pinning Azan Awais with the first ball of the Test match, before also snaring Shan Masood (5) lbw before rain stopped play. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player He followed up by dismissing Abdullah Shafique (61), Saud Shakeel (5), and later got Khurram Shazad (14), to take the fifth five-fer of his Test career. It followed his incredible seven-wicket haul at Lord's against New Zealand in June, his last Test appearance.
"Ollie Robinson was excellent," Tongue said. "As a bowling unit, we were very good. I'm glad that we bowled them out.
"It was similar to his performance at Lord's. "He's an exceptional bowler when he hits his lines and lengths and he showed that today." Robinson missed both of England's second and third Test defeats against New Zealand earlier this summer, and prior to that, had not played for England for over two years, after falling out of favour with selectors, due to injuries and fitness issues. After taking his first two wickets on Wednesday afternoon, Sky Sports Cricket analyst Stuart Broad commended Robinson on his bowling abilities.
"He's an excellent bowler, and certainly when conditions suit him, he's someone who is a great exponent of movement and can hold an area for a long period of time," Broad told Sky Sports Cricket. Broad believes England will benefit from Robinson's talents over the coming years, with Root's side set to tour South Africa in the winter, before welcoming Australia for the 2027 Ashes. "The advantage for England and Robinson over the next year is that they'll go to South Africa, where he'll be a fine bowler," Broad said.
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