Ollie Robinson told 'breakdown in trust' means England career is over despite Ashes dream

Ollie Robinson has not played for England since a disappointing tour of India earlier this year - and after being overlooked for the Pakistan Tests, his career could be over

Ollie Robinson says he’s desperate to get back into the England Test side – but Mark Butcher believes trust has broken down “almost irretrievably”.

Robinson has taken 76 wickets at an average of just 22.92 in 20 Tests for England since breaking onto the scene in the summer of 2021. The Sussex seamer appeared set for a prolonged spell in the team before a disappointing tour of India derailed his international career earlier this year amid questions about his fitness levels.

The 30-year-old has not been selected since that tour concluded in February but took 39 wickets at an average of 25.53 to help Sussex win Division Two of the County Championship to achieve promotion. He was omitted from the England squad which will play Pakistan in the coming weeks, despite his impressive performances the last time Brendon McCullum’s side toured the country.

Robinson was openly criticised by McCullum in India, with his pace dipping into the mid-70mphs and back spasms undermining his performance on the pitch. There was also irritation among the management around his social media influencer girlfriend Mia Baker, who proved a distraction on the tour.

"I don't think there's any denying his skill as a bowler, and I'm pretty sure that is not the reason why he's on the outside at the moment," former England batter Butcher told the Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast. "I think there's been a breakdown in trust between him and the management. From what I've heard and what I think I know, the covenant of trust between those guys and the player has broken down almost irretrievably.

"The management would lay the blame at his door firmly, he might have a riposte to that but that is basically it. There’s no denying the numbers or the skill he has. But the England players are given quite a lot of leeway in terms of the trust they are given by management, and I think he's broken that once too many [times] for McCullum and [Ben] Stokes and therefore finds himself on the outer."

That outlook will come as a huge disappointment to Robinson, who still believes he can work his pace back into the side, despite Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Brydon Carse, Olly Stone and Chris Woakes being ahead of him in the pecking order. "I'm really going to ramp up my fitness – my goal is to play Test cricket for England," he told BBC Radio Sussex.

"That's where my head's at at the minute – get as fit as possible, be ready for April when we return to Division One and put in good performances again. Try my best to get back in the team and that's all I can do really.

"The Ashes down under is something I've always wanted to win. From being a little kid to now, every morning I wake up and that's a goal of mine. That's what I've got inside me, that drive. And hopefully I can get back there next year."