Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden: Ollie Robinson’s punishment over the top
The England and Wales Cricket Board has gone “over the top” by suspending Ollie Robinson over racist and sexist tweets, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has said.
Robinson had an impressive Test debut in the draw with New Zealand at Lord’s, picking up seven wickets in the match and making a handy 42 with the bat.
However, the start to the pace bowler’s Test career was overshadowed by the emergence of the offensive posts he sent in 2012 and 2013, when he was in his late teens.
Ollie Robinson’s tweets were offensive and wrong.
They are also a decade old and written by a teenager. The teenager is now a man and has rightly apologised. The ECB has gone over the top by suspending him and should think again.
— Oliver Dowden (@OliverDowden) June 7, 2021
The ECB said Robinson has been suspended from all international cricket pending the outcome of a disciplinary investigation.
Dowden said: “Ollie Robinson’s tweets were offensive and wrong.
“They are also a decade old and written by a teenager.
“The teenager is now a man and has rightly apologised. The ECB has gone over the top by suspending him and should think again.”
Latest
-
T20 BlastJames Vince and Liam Dawson do the damage in Hampshire’s rout of Essex
The visitors bowled out the hosts for just 96.
-
EnglandOllie Pope says entertainment matters as England close in on win against Ireland
Pope and Ben Duckett went big at Lord’s but some players will go into the Ashes series with minimal time in the middle.
-
EnglandOllie Pope and Ben Duckett move England close to big win over Ireland at Lord’s
Duckett blitzed 182 before Pope struck a maiden double century in Test cricket on another trademark day of ‘Bazball’ cricket.
-
EnglandEngland declare with victory in sight after Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett heroics
Pope’s brilliant 205 backed up Duckett’s record-breaking 182 against Ireland at Lord’s.
-
EnglandBen Duckett breaks Lord’s record as Ollie Pope piles on runs for bullish England
Pope closed in on a maiden 200 for England after Duckett’s explosive 182 against Ireland at Lord’s.
-
EnglandBen Duckett leads the way with record hundred as England turn screw on Ireland
Duckett plundered an unbeaten 161 off 160 balls, the fastest 150 in a Lord’s Test, on a wicketless morning for Ireland.
-
The AshesAustralia’s Marnus Labuschagne ‘as hungry as ever’ to score runs
Australia’s packed summer schedule begins next week against India before they face England in a bid to retain the Ashes.
-
T20 BlastDawid Malan leads Yorkshire to Roses win as Jos Buttler fails to fire Lancashire
After Malan hit a superb 83 off 50 balls in the Vikings’ 195 for six.
-
EnglandAlmost perfect start to big summer – Stuart Broad hails dominant England display
Broad’s five-wicket haul was followed by half-centuries for Zak Crawley (56) and Ben Duckett (60) at Lord’s.
-
EnglandEngland openers shine after Stuart Broad takes five on first day against Ireland
Broad claimed five for 51 to dismiss Ireland for 172 before England closed on 152 for one.