October 12, 2024
Robinson could join T20 circuit, says Sharks captain

Robinson could join T20 circuit, says Sharks captain

Ollie Robinson, pictured right, impressed during the Vitality Blast (Image: Eva Gilbert/SCCC)

Ollie Robinson, pictured right, impressed at the Vitality Blast (Image: Eva Gilbert/SCCC)

Ollie Robinson could make a name for himself on the global T20 franchise circuit.

That’s the view of Tymal Mills after his fellow fast bowler helped him secure a place in the Vitality Blast final.

And the Sussex captain joked he would take his 10 per cent share if that happened.

Robinson has had a great time in the shorter format during a season that saw him drop out of the England Test team.

His two wickets and sharp running against top scorer Liam Livingstone helped Lancashire to a 114-run victory in Wednesday’s quarter-final at Hove.

In particular, his first-ball dismissal of Phil Salt will go down in Hove history, as will Mills’ second-ball strike against Chris Gayle a few years ago.

Mills said: “Ollie was fantastic.

“He has great skills – and great skills are great skills in T20 cricket, four-day cricket, 50-overs cricket.

“He puts the ball where he wants to put it and I know it sounds funny to say but in T20 cricket that’s very important.

“If you can get five or six balls in the right area, you’re going to cause problems.

“He swings the ball, brings it back and makes the game very difficult, especially when you are playing on a new wicket.

“I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect to get much of it.

“But once it looked like he was going to be left out of the England squad at the start of the summer, he was obviously with us all the way.

“He thought about the game, he helped me on the field.

“I can’t say enough good things about Ol.

“It was a huge boost to have him with us.”

Robinson has so far taken 18 wickets in his 52 Blast overs this year, at an average of 20.38.

His economy rate of 7.95 runs conceded per over is the best of any Sussex player who has bowled a significant number of deliveries.

The only man above him is Jofra Archer, whose 21-ball performance against Lancashire yielded 20 runs.

Mills has managed to specialise in the shorter formats and believes teams around the world will be aware of Robinson’s Blast season.

If not, he will be happy to let you know.

Mills said: “I hope he gets more T20 gigs from this.

“I don’t know what will happen to him in England in red-ball cricket.

“He showed he’s a very, very skilled bowler.

“You see in leagues around the world that teams are picking rookie bowlers.

“If you have a really specific skill, and really high skills, like he has, teams will accept it.

“It’s transferable all over the world.

“I hope he gets some gigs this winter because of this and I might take 10% off it!”

“He’s in excellent form. He’s been in good form this winter and in the Championship.

“He bowled a lot of overs and I think he’s in a really good position at the moment.

“He clearly enjoys his cricket.

“He’s really committed here.

“He signed a contract extension here for next year.”

Defending T20 champions Somerset joined the finals day line-up as Tom Banton hit 75 from just 43 balls to set up victory over Northamptonshire.

Banton hit five sixes and six fours as Somerset racked up a daunting 215-3 at a sold-out Wantage Road.

Banton was the dominant partner in a stand of 125 in 11.3 overs with Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who hit 63 off 43 balls with two fours and five sixes.

Surrey had already booked their place at Edgbaston.

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