Sam Robson declares for England

ENGLAND laid claim to an early victory even before the Ashes series began.

Sam Robson

ENGLAND laid claim to an early victory even before the Ashes series began.

Sam Robson, the talented Middlesex batsman who was born in Sydney, has pledged his long-term future to them, rather than Australia.

Geoff Miller, the national selector, revealed that England sought an assurance from Robson over his commitment before picking him for the England Performance Programme squad that arrived in Brisbane last week, in part to shadow the full Test party.

Chris Rogers, the Australia batsman, who has opened with Robson for Middlesex in the past three seasons, spoke yesterday of his disappointment that his county team-mate would not be following him into the Australia team.

"It is a tough one for Australia," Rogers said. "Sam has probably made his decision and while I was disappointed I can understand why he has chosen to play in England."

Robson, 24, was raised in Sydney, where his father runs an indoor cricket centre, but his mother hails from Nottingham. He represented Australia at under-19 level alongside Phillip Hughes and Mitchell Starc . Instead of staying in his homeland, he accepted a trial and then a contract with Middlesex, where he has since prospered.

Australia became so desperate to find and hold on to talented young players that they changed the rules over eligibility in August with Robson at the forefront of their thinking. The switch would have enabled him to play for New South Wales as well as Middlesex as a "local" player. England countered with a place in the Performance squad.

Despite rejecting the offer from his native state, Robson still has, in theory, both options open until he represents either country in a full international. A change of heart would embarrass England greatly, but Miller said that the selectors have done all they can to ensure that does not happen.

“A lot of people have had conversations with Sam to find out where he stands, what he wants to be, and that decision has been made,” Miller said. “There had to be a determination that he wants to play for England. I do not know whether or not it is there in writing, but enough people have talked to him and he has that passion.”

Three years ago, Miller acknowledged that England must be watchful about the number of players in the side who were born or learnt the game outside the country. Regulations on qualification have since become stricter, but Miller, who will be replaced by James Whitaker at the start of next year, believes his point remains valid.

“We want England to be England,” he said. “If these fellows come in and pass all the criteria asked of them and they have a determination, and I talk to them, I find out 'do you want to play for England?' and they pass that test, you are duty-bound to select them.

“If they have that quality, then fine. I need to know when they put those lions on it is for the lions and not for themselves. I think I have been good enough to look them in the face and find that out.’’

Robson himself has certainly not taken the easy option. At 36, Rogers will soon depart the Test fold and there is no clear replacement available in the Australian domestic game. England have Alex Lees and Varun Chopra with the Performance squad, plus Joe Root within the present Test side who can revert again to opening.

For all that, Rogers believes that Robson has the credentials to prosper in Test cricket eventually. “He is going to be an excellent cricketer,” Rogers said. “He has the game to open the batting and the rest is up to him.”

The Times