Agnew says Robinson's rhythmical action recalls Glenn McGrath

Jonathan Agnew said Ollie Robinson's rhythmical action reminded him of Glenn McGrath after England's win in the second Test at Lord's. Agnew added that describing Robinson as "robotic" may give the wrong impression and that the term is intended as a compliment.

"After Ollie Robinson's England debut five years ago I said he was the most natural bowler I have seen," Agnew said, noting Robinson was dropped, recalled, dropped again and is now back in the side. Agnew recorded that Robinson, aged 32, has taken 23 wickets in three matches following the Lord's victory and has performed magnificently in the summer conditions.

Agnew compared Robinson's repeatable motion to McGrath's, saying everything in Robinson's action is "utterly rhythmical, repetitive and perfectly grooved" and that his wrist is "just perfect." He described how, in these conditions, Robinson has been able to make the ball swing in or out or "wobble off the seam," often letting deliveries flow naturally from the fingertips rather than searching for wickets.

On match awareness, Agnew called Robinson "a really good reader of the game" and "tactically, he is extremely sharp," adding that a coach told him Robinson would give talks to team-mates about how to get batsmen out when he first joined the side. Agnew said those attributes supplement Robinson's natural action and contribute to his effectiveness.

Addressing selection and fitness history, Agnew noted public discussion that Robinson's summer form will prompt questions about last winter's Ashes omissions and a perceived breakdown in trust with the Stokes–McCullum regime. He referred to bowling coach Jon Lewis calling out Robinson's fitness in 2022 and suggested there have been times when Robinson "has not been handled as kindly as he might have been."

Agnew also credited tactical changes around the wicketkeeper, citing Australia's Alex Carey in the Ashes and England's use of Jamie Smith standing up to the stumps as playing into Robinson's strengths. He said that with Smith up the keeper, Robinson can bowl "a yard fuller," which gives deliveries more time to swing and increases the chance of hitting the stumps, and he praised wicketkeeping coach Sarah Taylor's practice drill where she "whacks tennis balls towards him with a racket," requiring Smith to stay low and take skidding balls.

On team selection and role, Agnew urged caution about resting the new pace quartet — Robinson, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue — for the third Test in Edgbaston, arguing the group needs to bowl together. He pointed out Robinson conceded runs at just 1.29 per over across the Lord's Test and suggested Robinson can perform the holding role of a slow bowler if required, while England are reported to be working to keep his pace around 82mph rather than him dropping to 77 or 78mph.

Agnew concluded by posing the next question for Robinson as whether he can reproduce this form on harder, flatter pitches and in hot conditions that will test his fitness, noting that England will face South Africa in a three-Test series in South Africa this winter. Jonathan Agnew was speaking to BBC Sport's Matthew Henry.