Recalled Robinson one of best bowlers in the world - Key
England head coach Brendon McCullum, a New Zealander, is a well-known advocate of the All Blacks rugby team's philosophies around team harmony, but Key maintained Robinson's absence was only ever due to fitness rather than a clash of personalities. "I don't think Ollie has ever been a problem in our set-up," said Key. "He's not someone who's disruptive.
You just need to trust you know what you're going to get. That's pretty much what we said. " Robinson lost his central contract at the end of 2024 and it looked like his England career might be over, or that he would at least need a change of management in order to earn a recall.
However, England were in contact with him at the beginning of the summer, when he was also made Sussex captain. He has led his county to three wins from five matches, taken 17 wickets and scored an impressive century against Surrey at The Oval. "It's been a great move from [Sussex coach] Paul Farbrace to make him captain, that has got the best out of him," said Key.
"Ollie has started the summer really well. Even the other day he said: 'What do I need to do? ' Well what he needs is to show he can maintain skill and speed throughout the game.
That's what we require and that's what he's done. "Ultimately, it's up to our set-up to get the best out of people. We don't want people that all do whatever we say all of the time.