Stokes won’t tell Robinson to ‘rein it in’

England captain Ben Stokes has declared he will not put a leash on fast bowler Ollie Robinson at Lord's, letting the firebrand quick loose to go after Australia.

The fallout of Robinson's expletive-laden first Test abuse of Usman Khawaja and subsequent taunting of Australia has dominated headlines over the past week, while also earning the ire of past players.

Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden and Michael Clarke have each chipped the 29-year-old, unhappy with comments about past Australian behaviour and criticising his bowling.

England, however, are happy for Robinson to talk.

His aggressive nature befits the team's approach to cricket, with England almost assuming the old Australian way of big-talking and fast-scoring in this year's Ashes.

"What's Ashes cricket without a little bit of comments from past players?" Stokes said.

"It's not the only time where emotions of pro sport have come out in that form.

"Ollie Robinson is the sixth best bowler in the world, he is averaging 21 with the ball. That's all I need to say on that."

Stokes also sees no need for Robinson's approach to change, adamant it brings out the best in the right-armer.

Robinson took 3-55 and 2-43 in the first Test at Edgbaston, but a far greener Lord's wicket is likely to offer more assistance to the quicks from Wednesday.

"Ollie Robinson doesn't let stuff like that affect him," Stokes said.

"He has been a quality performer every time he has walked on the field for England. His performances have proven that.

"I won't be having a word with him to rein it in, because you don't want to take something out of a player that gets the best out of them. He loves the competition.

"It is professional sport. It's the Ashes. There was a moment where we needed a desperate breakthrough (of Khawaja), and he was the one to get that."

Australia's current players have so far stayed out of the back-and-forth, with captain Pat Cummins preaching from the outset of this series sledging would not be their style.

It also matches the way Australia have dealt with Bazball, desperate to stay calm in the face of England's fearless batting and verbal hostilities.

Cummins said that may not have been possible as recently as five years ago, where players were more likely to get emotionally involved in battles or slanging matches.

"There are many factors that go into that," Cummins said.

"Everyone in our team is just about married with kids or well into their career and a bit more comfortable in their own skin.

"Five years ago Australian cricket meant you were meant to play tough and get in the face of the opposition and throw your arms about and things like that.

"Whereas you have seen our team pretty mellow over the past few years, which I think reflects our personalities.

"No doubt there are moments where everyone wants to get into a fight or a scrap or tit-for-tat. But at the moment everyone is pretty relaxed and comfortable just being us."

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