Ollie Robinson’s Ankle Injury Overshadows Glamorgan Duo’s Sussex Performance

Amidst the pre-Ashes anticipation, Marnus Labuschagne partners with Kiran Carlson, both centurions, to form an impressive 288-run alliance.

Once again, concerns surrounding the pre-Ashes condition of an English fast bowler stole the spotlight from on-field proceedings in the LV= Insurance Championship for the second consecutive weekend.

Ollie Robinson departed for the dressing room after an hour’s bowling in the morning session at Hove and did not make a reappearance, exacerbating the agony felt by his Sussex teammates.

The day transformed into an unwelcome test of endurance for the hosts, courtesy of the formidable 288-run partnership between Marnus Labuschagne and Kiran Carlson.

Following the match, Paul Farbrace, the head coach of Sussex, disclosed that Robinson had been grappling with a painful left ankle and would undergo a scan on Monday to assess the severity of the injury.

This development raises concerns for Ben Stokes, the Test captain, as England’s first Test against Ireland approaches in just 12 days.

Adding to the worry is the “minor groin strain” James Anderson is currently nursing, with less than a month remaining until the Ashes.

Stokes had expressed his ambition to have eight fit seamers available to face Australia, making the news of Robinson’s discomfort all the more disconcerting.

“He’s experiencing discomfort in his ankle, and we will conduct a scan on Monday to assess the severity,” stated Farbrace.

“We were aware of his discomfort yesterday, which is why he bowled only one spell this morning. Once he left the field, he was ruled out for the rest of the day.”

“We took a precautionary approach as there was no benefit in aggravating the injury further. We were well aware of his discomfort.

Interestingly, it’s the walking rather than the running aspect that causes him pain.

Our medical team and the England medical team jointly made the decision, as we maintain a strong relationship.

It’s the appropriate course of action as we need to investigate and understand the cause behind Oliver’s persistent ankle soreness, which he is eager to determine.”

Having already received a cortisone injection in his back prior to his first game of the season, Robinson’s workload has been meticulously regulated by the ECB.

Thus far, he has participated in three out of Sussex’s six matches, delivering exceptional match figures of 14 for 117 against Worcestershire just two weeks ago, marking a personal career-best performance.

In the beginning of this match, Robinson showcased his prowess by claiming 4 wickets for just 29 runs, which included the dismissal of Labuschagne for a mere 1 run, causing Glamorgan’s first innings to crumble.

However, on Saturday, after completing an eight-over spell, during which he witnessed Carson being dropped, Robinson left the field and did not make a comeback.

Interestingly, on the Sussex YouTube channel, a poll remained active, asking viewers to predict the number of wickets Robinson would take on that day, with options ranging from 2, 3, 4, or 5+.

There was little doubt about the heroes who rescued Glamorgan. With David Lloyd sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Kiran Carlson, serving as the stand-in captain, displayed his immense talent by crafting an unbeaten and formidable innings of 187 runs.

Meanwhile, Marnus Labuschagne, true to his remarkable abilities, contributed in his characteristic style to guide their team away from the brink of a three-day defeat.

As the day concluded, Glamorgan held a lead of 141 runs with five wickets remaining.

While a first victory at Hove since 1975 might be a challenging pursuit, two more sessions of batting on a progressively lifeless pitch would undoubtedly secure an improbable draw.

At the start of the day, Glamorgan found themselves trailing by 240 runs with nine wickets still intact. The early setback of losing two wickets in consecutive deliveries within the first half-hour hinted at the daunting challenge they faced.

However, had James Coles successfully grasped a low catch at third slip when Carson was on 3, the course of events could have taken a dramatically different turn.

Glamorgan’s score would have been 136 for 4, Robinson would have claimed a wicket during the midst of his spell, and Sussex’s spirits may have been lifted enough to persistently chip away at the opposition’s batting lineup.

They could have potentially capitalized on the second new ball in the afternoon session to make significant progress.

While on 21 runs, Carlson provided a significantly more challenging opportunity for the fielding side. He went for an aggressive shot, lofting the ball in a drive that narrowly missed Jack Carson’s fingertips before racing away to the boundary for four.

However, from that point onwards, Carlson proved to be nearly invincible as he and Labuschagne dedicated their afternoon to constructing a partnership of extraordinary dimensions.

In the process, they surpassed the previous record held by Viv Richards and Tony Cottey, etching their names in the annals of cricket history for Glamorgan’s highest-ever fourth-wicket stand against Sussex.

Following a cautious beginning, where they carefully negotiated Robinson’s bowling, the duo gradually shifted the momentum and applied pressure on the Sussex attack.

Carlson exhibited a smoother rhythm, reaching his fifty in 78 deliveries with a well-executed reverse-sweep.

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Subsequently, he needed just 49 more deliveries to complete his third century of the summer, achieved through a well-placed shot towards the leg side for three runs off Tom Haines’ bowling.

Carlson’s celebration was equally exuberant, as he swung his bat like a scimitar before removing his helmet, revealing a contented smile beneath his distinguished bristling mustache.

Labuschagne, evidently unperturbed by being overshadowed in terms of runs, appeared to have a singular focus.

His priorities were twofold: rescuing the match for Glamorgan and maximizing his time at the crease in what would be his last innings before joining the Australian squad for their World Test Championship and Ashes endeavors.

Labuschagne, evidently unperturbed by being overshadowed in terms of runs, appeared to have a singular focus.

His priorities were twofold: rescuing the match for Glamorgan and maximizing his time at the crease in what would be his last innings before joining the Australian squad for their World Test Championship and Ashes endeavors.

With each impressive display by Labuschagne, the chants of “Oh Glammy, Glammy!” grew louder and more spirited, resonating from a devoted group of supporters situated in the Sharks Stand.

The chants, perhaps tinged with an Aussie accent, filled the air, acknowledging the remarkable contributions of their beloved hero.

As Labuschagne’s innings progressed, the fervor of the Marnus Fan Club intensified.

When he finally fell victim to a delivery from Coles that skidded straight on, resulting in an lbw dismissal on 138 runs from 244 balls, the Marnus Fan Club members jubilantly waved their shirts above their heads.

The entire ground joined in applauding Labuschagne’s outstanding performance, paying tribute to his remarkable innings from all corners of the stadium.

By that point, the expectations for the day had undergone a complete reversal.

In the fourth over of the morning, Carson struck to dismiss Zain-ul-Hassain, whose promising debut came to an end when he inadvertently dragged his back foot out of the crease while attempting a sweep shot.

Soon after, Sam Northeast’s time at the crease was brief, falling victim to a delivery that spun into him, leaving him trapped and reminiscent of Abe Simpson’s comical antics at the Maison Derrière.

However, those wickets marked the end of Sussex’s success for nearly 65 long and arduous overs as Labuschagne and Carlson tightened their grip on the match.

Although Coles managed to claim two wickets in the final session, it merely provided a glimmer of hope for Sussex, without significantly altering the game’s trajectory.

As the day concluded, Glamorgan would reconvene in the morning with their sights set on completing their remarkable escape.