OLLIE ROBINSON feared he would be banned from cricket for two years – and never play for England again.
The Sussex fast bowler continued his remarkable and roller-coaster entry into Test cricket with his first five-wicket haul.
And, speaking for the first time since being punished for his racist tweets, Robinson revealed he thought the consequences might be career-destroying.
He said: “I was speaking with my lawyers and we were saying I could be banned for a couple of years and never play for England again.
“That would have taken me to the age of 30 and someone else could have taken my spot. So, yes, I had doubts over my career but luckily it all came good today.
“I was an 18-year-old, naïve guy and I made a lot of mistakes, not just those tweets. I had negative press when I was sacked from Yorkshire as well.
“I’ve learned a lot and tried to develop as a person in the last ten years. I’m a father now as well and want to make myself the best person I can be. I hope people will see that.”
Robinson’s international career has so far lasted just eight days but he has experienced enough shifting emotions to last a lifetime.
But this was the good bit of being an England player. Robinson bowled with skill and purpose and finished with figures of 5-85.
He is not afraid of getting in opponents’ faces, either, and he regularly exchanged words with batsmen, particularly opener K.L.Rahul.
Amazingly, Robinson became the first England bowler to begin his Test career by taking three wickets or more in his first three innings since spinner Nick Cook in 1983.
Fair play to Robinson. Following a probe, he was banned for eight games (three had already been served and five were suspended) and fined £3,200 but has vowed to educate himself.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan says Robinson reminds him of Aussie Josh Hazlewood, which is high praise because Hazlewood is one of the best fast bowlers in the world.
With Jimmy Anderson taking four wickets, England’s bowling was a two-man affair. They had combined figures of 9-139 while Stuart Broad and Sam Curran together were 9-127.
By the close of another rain-interrupted day in the First Test, England were 25-0 in their second innings and still 70 runs behind India.
Robinson added: “The time after my debut was the toughest few weeks of my life. It affected not only myself but also my family. I’ve learned a lot about the scrutiny of Test cricket. I’ve done a social media course and have more courses planned.
“Everyone involved with England was very good and helped me through the situation. It’s important for me to show I’m the real deal on the field.
“So this is a day to remember, a proud moment for myself and my family and one I’ll cherish for a long time.”
In the morning, Rishabh Pant played in his normal aggressive way and the two balls that preceded his dismissal went for four and six. But then he popped a catch off Robinson to short cover.
Ravi Jadeja could have been run out on four by Dan Lawrence and Rahul, dropped by Sibley on 52 on Thursday, was also reprieved by Joe Root at slip on 78. Anderson was the unlucky bowler on both occasions.
Eventually, Rahul was caught behind off Anderson taking the Lancashire bowler to 620 Test wickets, one ahead of former Indian spinner Anil Kumble and third on his own on the all-time list.
Root held a catch to remove Shardul Thakur and Jadeja skied to Broad at mid-off for 56. Mohammed Shami was bowled by Robinson but the last-wicket pair of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj put on 33 exasperating runs for England.
Robinson collected his fifth wicket when Broad took a running, tumbling catch at fine leg to remove Bumrah.
