Hove pair having a Blast but need need trophies to climb to the next level

Sussex duo Ollie Robinson and Phil Salt can reflect on a very different summer as they prepare for Sussex’s T20 Vitality Blast quarter final.

Both spent time in England bubbles, paceman Robinson with the Test squad and power-hitting Salt in the white ball set-up. While neither achieved their dream of making their international debuts, both seized the opportunity to learn from being around the best.

Robinson began his year in Australia helping to spur England Lions to their historic first win over Australia A at the MCG.

He returned home shortly before lockdown so was excited to go into the bubble as part of England’s training squad for the West Indies series. He spent time as one of the reserves and was called into the main squad for two Tests.

“As soon as I knew I was going in the bubble, I was just so excited just to get going. When you're with England, even though you’re missing cricket [with Sussex] you know you're that close to getting the opportunity.

“To be with England for that period of time and watch how some of the best in the world go about it and learn, was invaluable especially at this time my career where I'm on the edge of maybe getting selected. So, I’ve really enjoyed the bubble. Even though you can’t go out and it was a bit different, the camaraderie we have with each other, I had a great time.”

Robinson also went on a specialist fast bowling camp last December with James Anderson and Mark Wood and relished the opportunity to train alongside them again.

“If you train and work with better players, it's gonna to up your own game. Coming back to Sussex, it’s about just keeping those high standards going.

“You never see Jimmy Anderson bowling at 50% in the nets, you never see Ben Stokes hitting for 10 minutes. They're always training as hard as they possibly can to get as good as they can. Even Jimmy, this late on in his career, he’s always charging in the nets trying to be as good as he can, trying to learn different skills.

“For me going into the bubble, seeing that the guys at the top of their game are still as hungry as ever has driven me on even more. A lot of people will say that that have been the bubble.”

Robinson played just two Bob Willis Trophy matches in between spells in the bubble. He says keeping as game ready as possible, even without matches behind him, will be a key skill if selected for future England tours.

Having Australian pace legend Jason Gillespie as head coach at Sussex has also been invaluable.

“Just him pushing me, telling me how I need to be maybe a little bit better in some things and just keep improving the one percenters, he’s been massive for me.

“It's been unreal. It's really got me to a new level in terms of physicality. He's quite a calm, chilled coach in terms of skill, but if you do ask him something, he’s got a wealth of knowledge.”

Salt, meanwhile, was part of the 24-man training squad for England’s series with Ireland. He was one of the reserve players for the ODIs against Australia.

While disappointed not to be in the main squad for the Ireland series after scoring an unbeaten century for the Lions against the same opposition, Salt has taken took a lot from the summer.

“I was very happy to be in the squad in Manchester to play against Australia. It's been good experiences, good to be around that set-up, keep learning, keep moving my game forwards.”

Salt’s breakthrough year was 2018 where he scored his maiden first-class century. His T20 batting at a strike rate of 172 that year helped Sussex progress to finals day.

That form attracted offers to play in franchise cricket all over the world over the past two winters and he was called into England’s squad for a T20I last summer. He too credits Gillespie for giving him the freedom to play his natural game and batting coach Michael Yardy.

“I got the opportunity to play in 2018. I’ve taken it with both hands since then. That’s the focus on my cricket is any opportunity I get I've got to take it with both hands.”

Salt has always been a positive player at the top of the order in T20.

“The game’s a lot more fun when you’re aggressive. That doesn't mean going out and trying to hit every ball for six, but it means being aggressive within your game plan and always looking to take the game on.”

He enjoys stamping his authority from ball one.

“That’s one of the favourite things I like about opening the batting, and not just in T20. In the longer forms, I like the idea that the games are a blank canvas in front of you and you go out and put your stamp on the game and drive it forward.”

“If the opportunity arises, I'd love to be on an England tour. It's something I’ve not achieved just yet, pull on that England shirt. It is at the forefront of my mind. Get an opportunity and taking it with both hands. If there is an England tour this winter, I'd love to be on it.”