Ollie Robinson predicts England will give Australia ‘a good hiding’ in upcoming Ashes

The war of words has begun, with England seamer Ollie Robinson predicting the hosts will give Australia “a good hiding” in the upcoming Ashes series.

The 29-year-old has been a marvel for England since making his Test debut in 2021, taking 66 wickets at 21.27 in 16 matches. He played four Tests during the 2021/22 Ashes series, snaring 11 wickets at 25.54 — but England lost all four contests as Australia comfortably retained the urn.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex this week, Robinson said representing his country in the Ashes was the “pinnacle”, suggesting England was well placed to win back the coveted trophy.

“It doesn’t get much better than that,” Robinson said.

“It’s a dream come true to be involved in a home Ashes. When we went to Australia, we weren’t quite at our best.

“But with the team and the squad we’ve got at the moment, it’s such an exciting time to play Australia at home. I really feel like we could get one over on them, and give them a good hiding.”

Since former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was appointed Test coach last year, England has won 10 of their 12 matches in the five-day format. The team’s aggressive mentality, colloquially dubbed “BazBall”, has revolutionised Test cricket over the last 12 months, with Ben Stokes and his comrades seemingly confident they can win from any position.

“Brendon McCullum and Stokesy have just changed the game for us (with) the confidence that they’ve given the players — the batters especially,” Robinson explained.

“I think the fans can see that (from) the way we’re going out there and trying to put on a show, almost, trying to perform for people.

“There will come a point when other Test nations will have to try and play the way we play to compete. That can only be good for the fans and good to watch.

“The entertainment we’re producing is like nothing we’ve seen in Test cricket before. I think teams will follow suit at some point. It just depends how long it takes for some to do that.”

Robinson is hoping to play “four or five” County Championship matches for Sussex before the Ashes get underway in June — he will compete alongside Australian vice-captain Steve Smith, who is set to play three matches for the domestic team in May ahead of the World Test Championship final.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to play quite a lot,” Robinson said.

“Last year, I had a month of not playing at it sort of put me back in the summer, so this year I’m going to try and play early, play as much as possible and just keep myself playing cricket. I feel like that’s when I’m at my best and that’s when my body’s at its best.”

England could face a selection dilemma ahead of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, with Robinson, James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer seemingly fighting over three spots in the starting XI.

Archer, recovering from a back stress fracture, was England’s most impressive bowler during the 2019 Ashes with 22 wickets at 20.27, while Broad terrorised David Warner throughout the series, dismissing the veteran opener on seven occasions. Meanwhile, Anderson was recently named the world’s No. 1 Test bowler on the ICC rankings.

The first Test between England and Australia gets underway at Edgbaston on June 16.