England have called up Durham wicketkeeper Ollie Robinson for the Test match in New Zealand after Jordan Cox was ruled out of the tour due to injury.
Cox was expected to deputize for Jamie Smith (paternity leave) for the three games against the Black Caps but suffered a broken finger hitting the net before training.
That left vice-captain Ollie Pope to step in as wicketkeeper for the opener in Christchurch – and for 21-year-old Jacob Bethell to start as a specialist batsman – but Robinson could now opt for next week’s second Test in Wellington.
The 25-year-old, who is due to arrive in New Zealand on Saturday, has been in excellent form since moving from Kent to Durham, where he has seen 1,802 County Championship appearances over the past two campaigns.
Robinson averaged 48.38 this summer and averaged 60 in 2023, with his strikeouts in both seasons over 80.
The right-hander has also picked up 92 strikeouts with the glove in that span.
Robinson turns 26 on Sunday and, ironically, shares his birthday with Ollie Robinson, the Sussex bowler who has taken 76 wickets in 20 Tests for England but now looks set to do well.
The players, who are not related, were also born in Kent – Robison a wicketkeeper at Sidcup and a bowler at Margate.
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