"Loss of trust with team management": Mark Butcher on Ollie Robinson's exclusion.

New Delhi, October 4: Former England batsman Mark Butcher believes that the exclusion of seamer Ollie Robinson from the Test squad stems from a breakdown in trust between him and the team management.

Despite being instrumental in England's 3-0 series victory in Pakistan in 2022, where he took nine wickets at an average of 21.22, the 30-year-old was absent from any of England's six home Tests this summer and has not been selected for the upcoming tour of Pakistan.

Butcher commented on the Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast, "I don't think there's any denying his skill as a bowler, and I'm pretty sure that isn't the reason he's currently on the outside. I believe there has been a loss of trust between him and the management. From what I've heard, the trust between those players and him has nearly broken down irreparably."

He added, "The management would likely place the blame squarely on his shoulders; he might have a response to that, but that’s basically the situation. The numbers and his skills are undeniable. However, England players are given considerable leeway regarding the trust from management, and I think he's breached that too many times for [Brendon] McCullum and [Ben] Stokes, which is why he finds himself sidelined."

Robinson participated in England's 1-4 defeat in India earlier this year but struggled, failing to take any wickets.

Nonetheless, he has an impressive Test record, with 76 wickets at an average of 22.92, including three five-wicket hauls in 20 matches. Robinson has also been addressing fitness concerns.

"I'm really going to ramp up my fitness—my goal is to play Test cricket for England. That's where my head is right now—getting as fit as possible, being ready for April when we return to Division One, and delivering strong performances again. Winning the Ashes down under is something I've always aspired to achieve. Since I was a child, that's been a goal of mine, and every morning I wake up with that drive. I hope to get back there next year," Robinson told BBC Radio Sussex, as quoted by Wisden.

In his most recent outing, Robinson played 12 County Championship Division Two matches for Sussex, taking 39 wickets at an average of 25.53.

The three-Test series in Pakistan kicks off in Multan on October 7. Robinson has expressed his desire to return to the England Test squad, particularly for the Ashes in Australia next year.