‘Just the way he plays his cricket’: Ollie Pope defends Ollie Robinson

England vice-captain Ollie Pope has defended Ollie Robinson after the English seamer has come under scathing attack from the former Australian cricketers.
Robinson has been criticised for the send-off he gave to centurion Usman Khawaja in the first innings of the Edgbaston Test.
“I think Ollie is the kind of guy who gets in the battle. And sometimes I think in a big series like this, emotions almost take over while you’re on the pitch,” Pope told reporters.

“But he’s a top guy, and I think in an Ashes series, these things are really brought to light.
“In the heat of the moment, obviously he was pumped up to get that wicket and it’s nothing personal in the way that he’s gone about it. That’s just the way he plays his cricket.”
When asked on whether Robinson needs to tone down his celebrations, Pope said: “I don’t know, I’ve not asked him.”
“But if he can get on a good run, hopefully he can celebrate in the way he wants to celebrate.

“But he’s just going to go about his business in the way he does. He’s a high-quality bowler, so hopefully he can let the ball do all the talking.”
The second Ashes Test will get underway from Wednesday.