'The Message is That Results are Irrelevant': Ollie Robinson Reveals England's New Found Approach to Test Cricket

Ben Stokes (L) and Ollie Robinson (R). (Image: AFP)

England has been a fine opposition for the ever-dominant India in the ongoing Test series. With the new change in mindset, the England camp has managed to bring out an entertaining aspect to the longest format which has been termed ‘Bazball.’ The English pacer, Ollie Robinson, gave some insight into what playing for the current England Test team is all about.

In his column for the Wisden, Ollie Robinson shared what the general message from the England camp is about the way they play Test cricket. He had written,” The message that keeps coming from Ben and Baz is that results are irrelevant to us – it’s the way that we play. The way that we’re playing and the brand of cricket that we play is how we want to be seen and perceived.”

Under the leadership of Ben Stokes, the England side have showcased a newfound intent to win Test matches as opposed to the traditional way of going for a draw in what used to be seen as unwinnable situations. A notable moment of this intent was during the Headingley Test at the Ashes 2019. While Stokes might not have been the captain at the time, he sure did show the audience what he was about and a similar change in mindset can be seen in the England players as well.

Robinson also highlighted their risk-taking mentality and shared that this is how the team would be contributing to keeping the longest format alive. He wrote,”So whether we chase it or not, we just want to entertain and show people that this is how we’re going to play cricket. We want to show teams around the world that this is how we’re going to play cricket. And this is how we’re going to keep Test cricket alive by playing this way.”

In terms of the brand of cricket the England side wants to play, it is all about giving the audience something to watch in the modern-day era and go for broke. Robinson revealed how special it is to be able to leave a mark on the sport. He had also written,”…just keep entertaining, keep trying to pull off the impossible and keep believing that. For us, it’s about the way we play. It’s really special for us to get together as a team and to leave our mark on the game of cricket. This is how we have to play. Whether we win or lose, people are going to remember us for the way we played and that’s what we’re all aiming for – to be remembered and to leave a mark on the game.”

The England team will gear up once again as they take on India for the third Test at Rajkot. Ben Stokes and his side will not be keen on letting up as they will look to take the lead in the series once again to pile on the pressure on the dominant hosts, India.