Ollie Robinson and Ben Foakes leave England bubble to re-join counties

The pair will, therefore, be able to play for Surrey and Sussex respectively in their Bob Willis Trophy matches, which get underway on Saturday

Ben Foakes and Ollie Robinson will leave England’s bio-secure bubble to return to their counties.

The pair will, therefore, be able to play for Surrey and Sussex respectively in their Bob Willis Trophy matches, which get underway on Saturday. Neither have played a Test for England this summer; Foakes has been part of the squad since England's series against West Indies, while Robinson was a more recent addition following the first Test against Pakistan.

Foakes’ return for Surrey will strengthen Alec Stewart’s side, who have been depleted by a combination of injury, international call-ups and unavailability of Kolpak players. At one stage, the club signed Sussex batsman Laurie Evans and Worcestershire seamer Adam Finch on emergency loan deals.

The relentlessness of Ollie Robinson: County cricket's metronome

Sussex, meanwhile, have fielded inexperienced sides in their three matches so far, with 18-year-old Henry Crocombe playing in each game so far. George Garton, the rapid left-armer, took nine wickets in their three-wicket defeat against Essex.

While Foakes returns to take on Kent at the Kia Oval, Robinson will join his colleagues at Radlett to take on Middlesex.

In 2019, Robinson took 24 wickets in two games against his upcoming opposition, while in his only Bob Willis Trophy outing so far this season, he took eight wickets in a win over Hampshire.

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