Aussie tail delivers after Robinson’s ‘three No.11s’ sledge

Ollie Robinson might be regretting his assertion Australia have three No.11s.

With every passing run as the tourists edged closer to their target of 281 at Edgbaston on Tuesday, the quick's day three sledge must have been reverberating round his mind.

It won't have been far from the thoughts of Australia's fans, either, when Cummins guided a Robinson delivery to third man to seal an unlikely two-wicket win to start the Ashes.

Robinson has emerged as England's chief antagonist of this series.

His expletive-laden outburst after dismissing Usman Khawaja for 141 on day three raised eyebrows, and the bowler needed to be pulled away from Australia's opener again on day five.

Several comments in the day three post-match press conference also earned the ire of former players, who he effectively accused of bullying in years gone by.

Robinson blasted Australia for being "too defensive", said England had got in their heads and, most notably, declared the tourists had "three No.11s".

"I didn't hear that one," Cummins said after Australia's two-wicket win on Tuesday.

"But batting is something we all practise. Nathan (Lyon) ... puts a lot of time into his batting.

"We all had pretty strong plans. Even the adjustment from the first innings, we got a couple of bumpers. We adjusted and went out with a really clear plan."

Image Id: A06E1CDB7CF24814A5DBA0211F403427 Image Caption: Ollie Robinson has words with Usman Khawaja on day five // Getty

Cummins was the one member of Australia's lower order that Robinson didn't describe as a No.11.

Scott Boland was included in Robinson's spray, though, and the Victoria quick's 20 runs as a tailender at the close of day four and start of day five proved crucial.

So too Nathan Lyon, who scored an unbeaten 16 in the 55-run stand with Cummins that won the match.

Lyon has a Test average of 12.73 and is by no means a bunny.

He played one of the shots of the final day when he lofted a Stuart Broad delivery over mid-on late in the chase, and creamed another ball from Broad past Robinson at mid-off for four.

The No.10 also survived eight balls off Robinson as England worked to keep Lyon on strike in the belief bowling at him was their best path to victory.

"He was really good," Cummins said.

"When you're in the changeroom and it's not in your control you get way more nervous than you do in the middle.

"Once you're in the moment and in control, you feel it is mine to win or lose.

"Nathan was awesome, he was really chilled.

"When he is batting he is always really talkative. It helps him out, but it helps me out as well."

2023 Qantas Ashes Tour of the UK

First Test: Australia won by two wickets

Second Test: Wednesday June 28-Sunday July 2, Lord’s

Third Test: Thursday July 6-Monday July 10, Headingley

Fourth Test: Wednesday July 19-Sunday July 23, Old Trafford

Fifth Test: Thursday July 27-Monday 31, The Oval

Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, David Warner

England squad: Ben Stokes (c), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood