Robinson steals Steve Smith’s spotlight as Sussex take fight to Worcestershire

As he stood at second slip watching Ollie Robinson finesse a sublime seven-wicket haul with the splendour of Worcester Cathedral as a backdrop, Steve Smith could have been forgiven for invoking the spirit of WG Grace and muttering “they came to see me bat not you bowl”.

As it was, the Australian appeared to be very much enjoying his first day of this pre-Ashes tune-up with Sussex. Smith did not bat – his side reached 63 for one in reply to Worcestershire’s 264 all out when bad light brought an early close – but this was still a hugely informative outing.

How could it not have been? Robinson will be one of England’s central weapons this summer and though they have met previously on Australian soil, Smith was able to get a closer look at his subtle manipulation of the Dukes ball in home conditions and track his varied use of the crease. Not that Robinson, who clean bowled Smith in the nets at Hove earlier this week, is too fussed.

“I think it works both ways,” said Robinson, fresh from figures of seven for 59 and 17 overs of solid graft. “He’s obviously a very good player and I think he will score runs regardless of whether he faces me or not. We get a look at each other, but I don’t think it makes a big difference in the grand scheme of things.

“It’s been a bit surreal for me ... to have the world’s best batsman and [Cheteshwar] Pujara in the same changing room has been cool. I think it ups my game in training – it’s great to have them batting at the other end.”

Once the PA announcer had amusingly declared the rules of engagement at the toss – “no spitting, no biting and no swearing” – and Pujara called correctly, Robinson was simply a cut above the rest. His opening burst of seven overs, four for 30 was ruinous stuff,