England must have good bowlers to omit Robinson - Farbrace

Ollie Robinson has taken 76 wickets in 20 Tests for England

Surprised Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace says "there must be good other bowlers around" for Ollie Robinson to have been omitted from England's Test squad.

The 30-year-old has been overlooked for the upcoming series against West Indies with Nottinghamshire fast bowler Dillon Pennington earning his first call-up.

The first Test begins on Wednesday, 10 July at Lord's and is due to be James Anderson's last.

"He [Robinson] is disappointed because he's had an excellent record when he's played for England," former England assistant coach Farbrace told BBC Radio Sussex.

"We're delighted as a club that he's not been selected because he's playing for us.

"Other bowlers around the country must be good bowlers to be selected in front of him and it is a simple case that England want him to keep being consistent when he plays.

"England have got a lot of good players, they made the call in terms of who they want to pick. His record suggests that he's a very good Test bowler and he's been excellent for us."

Robinson made his Test debut in 2021 and has 20 England caps.

The pace bowler has taken 76 wickets for his country at an average of 22.92.

He was hit for a County Championship record 43 in an over by Leicestershire's Louis Kimber last week.

'Robinson's England career not over' - analysis

BBC Radio Sussex commentator Adrian Harms

After disappointing performances in both the Ashes last summer and in India during the winter, plus fitness and injury concerns, Ollie Robinson had plenty to prove if he was to force his way back into England reckoning this summer.

The response, though, has been impressive - a visually trimmer and fitter Robinson has been just one of the many reasons behind the Sussex revival this season.

He’s played in seven out of nine Championship games, bowling more than 200 overs and taking 27 wickets, which has helped propel Sussex to the top of Division Two.

Much was made of the 43 runs he conceded in an over against Leicestershire last week, but that would be to dismiss the other 32 overs in the match when he took 5-98.

He could easily have hidden away after that mauling from Kimber, but to his credit came back and broke the eighth-wicket partnership which took Sussex to the brink of victory.

For now, Robinson has clearly slipped down the England pecking order but suggestions his international career is on the brink may be premature.

Much will depend on how he responds to being dropped by England but, for now, Sussex are more than reaping the rewards from his prolonged stint at Hove this season.