ENG vs NZ 2026: 'Speechless about how it's gone' - Ollie Robinson reflects on dream return

England seamer Ollie Robinson has shared his elation and excitement after his dream return for the Three Lions on Day 1 of the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s on June 4. 

Taking the ball for the first time in over 800 days in international cricket, Robinson wreaked havoc on the Kiwis early, picking up three wickets in his first over, before adding a fourth to finish the day with figures of 4 for 10. The seamer removed opener Devon Conway off his third ball, trapping him in front with a nip-backer. Two balls later, he removed New Zealand’s talisman, Kane Williamson, as he inside-edged one to a diving Emilio Gay at short leg, before trapping Rachin Ravindra in front with another inswinger off the next ball. He then had Daryl Mitchell bowled four overs later, trying to leave a delivery outside off stump, which came back in.

"I'm so speechless about how it's gone - I couldn't have dreamt up that day .When we lost the toss and got stuck in, we were hoping to be batting all day. It obviously didn't go our way but to come out with the ball as a collective, we were right on it from ball one. It's been such a special day, I have no words,” Robinson said, speaking to BBC Test Match Special.

Robinson’s re-inclusion comes after a significant England ‘reset’ after a 4-1 drubbing in the Ashes. The Three Lions have been lacking an attack-leader, who could hold an end and bowl at a length consistently. This need for a metronomic bowler played a significant role in Robinson’s return.

Robinson spoke of the hard work he put in ahead of the series, not being in a space for a call-up despite being in Australia playing club cricket.

"I was nowhere near ready to play or anywhere near where I am now as a person and a cricketer," Robinson said of missing the Ashes. It's only been the last few months that I've got the enjoyment back for the game and knuckled down a bit more. I went to Australia in the winter and played some grade cricket and just got the love of the game back really and, yeah, the wickets might have suited me but I wasn't ready to play. There was a lot of hard work that still needed to be done for me to get back in," he added.

Robinson was dropped from the side in 2024, owing to concerns surrounding his fitness and certain off-field issues. At the time of his axe, he had picked up 76 wickets from 20 games at an average of 22.92. Ahead of the start of the summer, Robinson, who now captains Sussex in the County Championship, was in line for a recall with England’s need for a new-ball bowler more prominent than ever.

"When I got the call from [Rob Key, managing director of England men's cricket] and the text from [head coach Brendon McCullum], I knew that I had a lot of hard work to put in. That's what I've tried to do over the last few months. And like I said, I'm not the finished article by no means," he said

"Stokesy said to me last week 'great to have you back, but just know the hard work's still to be done', and that's what's constantly in my head at the moment. These days are what you play for. But, like I said, I've still got a lot of work to do, and it's just great to put the England shirt back on and be here," he added.

Being put into bat, England were bowled out for a total of 140 with Kyle Jamieson picking up figures of 5 for 62. Harry Brook scored a well-made 56 off 71 balls to take the Three Lions to a competitive total on a wicket that had enough for the seamers. Robinson’s burst and a wicket each for Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue saw New Zealand reeling at 61 for 6, on a day where 16 wickets fell despite rain taking away significant time from the day’s play.