Ollie Robinson quickly built a reputation at Sussex as an an adaptable county player capable of occasional outstanding contributions, but his consistency under the guidance of a new coach, Jason Gillespie, in 2018 came as a surprise. Robinson took 74 Division Two wickets as Sussex narrowly missed promotion, second only to Kent;s New Zealand international Matt Henry, bowling with more pace and discipline than at any time in his career. Career-best figures of 7 for 23 in a pre-season affair against Loughborough University augered well and he did not let up, winning new respect as an ever-present threat. In 2019, he furthered his reputation as one of the leading new-ball bowlers in the county system, taking 63 Championship wickets including 8 for 34 (and 14 for 135 in the match) against Middlesex.

Robinson made an impression at Sussex from the outset. He notched up his maiden first-class century on his Sussex debut in an innings driven by the desire to prove people wrong. With no 11 Matthew Hobden, on a sunny day in Chester-Le-Street, he put on 164 runs for the final wicket against Durham and surpassed a 107-year record for the best tenth-wicket partnership for Sussex. His notable feat came ten months ago his contract with Yorkshire - coached by Gillespie at the time - was terminated due to "a number of unprofessional actions", involving poor timekeeping and less than perfect attendance at training sessions.

Robinson had played second XI cricket for Hampshire and Essex before signing for Sussex on a short-term deal. His century, and a recognition of his seam bowling qualities, won him a season-long contract. He went on to take 46 wickets in his debut season, with a best of 6 for 33 coming in a win against Warwickshire at Hove and also had the versatility to bowl offspin as well as his normal seam-up style. Such bowling moments were few and far between in the Championship the following year even though Sussex had slipped into Division Two.

He is the stepson of England's assistant coach Paul Farbrace, who initially has brought him to Yorkshire where his skills as a death bowler in T20 cricket won respect.

ESPNcricinfo staff