England handed timely injury boost as Robinson cleared to join Test squad

Ollie Robinson has been cleared to join the England squad for the one-off Test against Ireland next week after scans on his left ankle showed no obvious injury.

The 29-year-old is viewed as central to England’s chances of regaining the Ashes this summer and the sight of him on crutches and wearing a moon boot over the weekend – halfway through the Division Two match between Sussex and Glamorgan – set alarm bells ringing.

But despite reporting some discomfort in the joint while walking – not, curiously, when running – a scan on Monday evening came back all clear. The pain is understood to relate to tendon irritation and he will be monitored while in camp. Robinson, writing on Instagram on Tuesday morning before England confirmed the news, said: “Good start to the season with @sussexccc, now on to the international summer.”

It is thought, unlikely, however that Robinson will be ready to play in the four-day Test against Ireland that starts at Lord’s on 1 June. While Matthew Potts, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes are all fit and firing, Jimmy Anderson is also touch and go following a groin strain. Mark Wood, the other seamer in the 15-man squad, has returned from the Indian Premier League and is awaiting the birth of his second child.

Robinson’s start to the season has not been plain-sailing, even if his quality has shone through with the ball when he has featured. The right-armer underwent an injection in his troublesome lower back in order to play and also experienced a bout of cramp during his side’s visit to Worcestershire a fortnight ago.

That match also returned 14 wickets, however, and in his three county outings overall he has claimed 20 victims at an average of 13.65. Against Glamorgan he also removed Australia’s