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While members of England’s Ashes squad touched down in Perth this week ahead of the first Test on November 21, paceman Ollie Robinson recently arrived in Sydney, where he will play Sydney premier cricket (formerly known as Grade Cricket) for Sydney Uni. Watch Australia vs India T20I Series LIVE and ad-break free during play only on FOX CRICKET, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. On Thursday, the 20-Test medium pacer was spotted at NSW training at the SCG, bowling in the nets to Konstas, Smith and Kurtis Patterson while wearing a bright blue Sydney Uni training top. The SMH reports Robinson volunteered to be a net bowler for the NSW Blues, who will have several Test players taking part in a Sheffield Shield match against Victoria starting next Monday at the SCG in their final tune-up before the Ashes. Robinson was bowling in the nets alongside Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, and spent time with Konstas after the young opener was dropped for Australia’s squad for the first Test. But the sight of Robinson bowling to Australian players at NSW training would be a surprise for the England camp, especially given he hopes to earn a recall for the Ashes if England quicks Mark Wood and Jofra Archer go down with injury. Robinson has taken 76 wickets at an average of 22.92, and hasn’t played a Test since February 2024, but has come to Australia to give himself a chance of being called into the Ashes squad mid-series. Robinson became a villain when he gave Usman Khawaja a fiery send-off in the 2023 Ashes after becoming source of derision when the medium pacer bowled offspin in a bizarre moment in Adelaide during the 2021-22 Ashes. “F*** off, you f***ing p***k,” he said to Khawaja after dismissing him for 141. “I don’t really care how it is perceived, to be honest,” Robinson said later. “It’s the Ashes, it’s professional sport. If you can’t handle that, what can you handle?” The 31-year-old Englishman secured a deal to play for Sydney University, where he will play his first game on Saturday against Western Suburbs. Speaking to news.com.au about their new book Alphas, Champs and Chop Kings, The Grade Cricketer’s Sam Perry and Ian Higgins joked Sydney Uni should start Robinson in second grade and let him earn his way into first grade. “So he should (start below first grade),” Perry said in The Grade Cricketer’s trademark deadpan sarcasm. “Andrew Strauss started in third grade. There’s a long line of Englishmen, first class and international players of repute, who correctly had to start in lower grades in Sydney to make their way up. “It’s about earning your stripes. Sydney Uni’s a strong and powerful club. I suspect they have a cartel of quicks already. “Ollie would do well to make sure he can dominate at the lower grade level at St Pauls Oval before he’s given the opportunity to represent at first grade level for Sydney University with his Test bowling average of 22.” Archie Vaughan, the son of former England captain Michael Vaughan started the season playing second grade for Mosman, despite having represented England Under 19s and Somerset. Australia’s squad for 1st Ashes Test: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster England Ashes squad: Ben Stokes (c), Harry Brook, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wicket keeper), Josh Tongue Mark Wood 2025-26 Ashes schedule First Test: Friday November 21-Tuesday November 25 - Optus Stadium, Perth Second Test (day/night): Thursday December 4-Monday December 8 - The Gabba, Brisbane Third Test: Wednesday December 17-Sunday December 21 - Adelaide Oval Fourth Test: Thursday December 25-Monday December 29 - Melbourne Cricket Ground Fifth Test: Sunday January 4-Thursday January 8 - Sydney Cricket Ground
