ECB lifts ban on Ollie Robinson, pacer available for selection in test series in India
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has allowed pacer Ollie Robinson to resume international cricket duties. Robinson was suspended after the first test against New Zealand because of some of his old tweets.
Ollie Robinson, England pacer suspended over his old racist and sexist tweets, has been cleared for a return to the national team by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Robinson was suspended after making his debut in the first Test of the 2-match series against New Zealand as some of his tweets, posted as a teenager, went viral on social media.
Robinson had made a memorable debut for England in the longest format of the game, picking up 7 wickets in two innings. The 27-year-old even issued an apology after the first day’s play of the first Test against New Zealand, after coming to know of the chatter around his old tweets. The apology, however, didn’t prevent him from being suspended from the international cricket right after the first match.
Since the Robinson incident, the old tweets of several players including Jos Buttler and Eoin Morgan have been questioned though none of these players were handed suspensions like Robinson.
The ECB issued a statement saying Robinson has been cleared to play again after being handed a fine of GBP 3,200. Tom Harrison, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said on the matter: “We accept the decisions made by the Cricket Discipline Commission and the sanctions they have imposed.
“Ollie has acknowledged that, whilst published a long time ago when he was a young man, these historic tweets were unacceptable. He has engaged fully in the disciplinary process, admitted the charges, has received his sanction from the CDC and will participate in training and use his experiences to help others.
“Given he has served the suspension handed down by the CDC, he will now be available for selection for England again.
“We stand against discrimination of all forms, and will continue working to ensure cricket is a welcoming and inclusive sport for all.”
Robinson also issued a statement, once again reiterating that he is embarrassed over the nature of the tweets he had posted about 8 years ago.
“I fully accept the CDC’s decision. As I have said previously, I am incredibly embarrassed and ashamed about the tweets I posted many years ago and apologise unreservedly for their contents,” he said in the statement.
“I am deeply sorry for the hurt I caused to anyone who read those tweets and in particular to those people to whom the messages caused offence. This has been the most difficult time in my professional career for both my family and myself.
“Whilst I want to move on, I do want to use my experience to help others in the future through working with the PCA.”
Robinson is now available for selection in the highly-anticipated 5-match Test series against India which will begin on August 04.
