Ollie Robinson the cricketer deserves credit

NICK HOWSON AT LORD'S: A fine bowling performance and a handy contribution with the bat means there are positives to take from his Test debut

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Let's get one thing straight, Ollie Robinson is not the victim here.

The additional scrutiny over his Test debut has been all of his own making.

If the ECB are to genuinely recalibrate their approach to racism and sexism then they had no choice but to take ownership of Robinson's past indiscretion and act accordingly.

Whether those racist and sexist posts on Twitter had been sent nine years, months or days ago the ECB had to be seen to take action. The t-shirt players wore during the 'moment of unity' before play began on day one at Lord's just added another layer of importance to the tone of their reaction.

How substantial the eventual punishment of the Sussex seamer is will be fascinating and he could be made an example of. His suspension and omission from Edgbaston Test is correct.

^{England and New Zealand observed a moment of unity before play on day one}

If the 27-year-old didn't already have an idea of what life might be like amid international cricket's bright gaze, he certainly does now. Those pleasant afternoons at Hove are a world away from this environment; he's learned the hard way.

He was unaware of the looming storm until after play had concluded on day one, by which time he had made Tom Latham and Ross Taylor his maiden Test scalps.

Then came the apology. Sitting on a comfy chair in the Sky Sports player zone, it was a case of damage limitation. He later did the same in full view of the written press. Reading a pre-prepared statement never makes you sound particularly sincere. He was probably still taking it all in.

That said, Tom Harrison's disappointment was palpable across his own 160-word statement.

In what is the friendliest of Test series, the narrative for the match had been written.

Ollie Robinson suspended and ruled out of second Test against New Zealand after racist and sexist tweets

The focus on Robinson totally changed. He's been waiting patiently for his England chance for several years and could easily have been bloodied at any stage over the last two. Yet suddenly it was about more than line and length.

Therefore, it is important to observe how well he has dealt with the situation on the field. This is not an attempt to dilute his mistakes away from the middle, but to give credit to how he has responded.

Robinson has shown great character, collecting Henry Nicholls and Colin de Grandhomme to finish with four first-innings wickets and then making a really credible 42 batting with Rory Burns, a partnership which he dominated.

Adding double centurion Devon Conway, captain Kane Williamson and nightwatchman Neil Wagner capped a fine debut. A kind New Zealand declaration probably denied him a five-for.

"From a performance point of view on the field he has had an exceptional debut," said captain Joe Root.

^{Ollie Robinson claimed seven wickets across both New Zealand innings}

"He's contributed with the bat, his performances with the ball have been excellent; he's shown high levels of skill. 

"He's got a game that can be successful in Test cricket."

For every James Anderson, there is a Darren Pattinson, and for all the rigorous scouting that goes on you never really know how a player will fair.

But Robinson has reproduced his unignorable domestic form in an England shirt and looked at home in these surroundings. He will be back after this enforced break.

And having done so after dealing with the events of day one, that shows a certain amount of character which will be vital going forward, not least when he undoubtedly goes to Australia for the Ashes. The home faithful won't let him forget this.

That will be another moment when Robinson is reminded of the size of his misconduct. If he can respond as he has at the home of cricket this week then he will be well-placed to cope.