Firstly, Sam Robson the batsman. He looks well organised, possesses a good temperament, owns a solid first-class record and has diligently worked his way through the ranks prior to arriving at the top table.
Secondly, Sam Robson the Englishman? Australian? Anglo-Aussie?
In cricketing terms, with a couple of Test appearances behind him, Robson is English, but let’s not beat about the bush, he’s Australian and that brooks little argument.
As Kevin Pietersen once, according to Ed Cowan, remarked, “I’m not English, I just work here.” Robson falls in the same category.
With a mother from Nottinghamshire, Robson is entitled to work in this country and nobody can begrudge him that, but my dad’s from the north east yet I won’t claim to be geordie.
Forget those such as Ben Stokes, Matt Prior and Andrew Strauss who, as youngsters, were brought to these shores by their parents and, having been educated here, should be considered English. It’s an issue that has formed part of English cricket’s fabric for a number of years and is one that won’t disappear, however much some are opposed to it.
With a domestic game that has no problem employing journeyman foreigners as British, even though it’s not quite as bad as a few years ago, it stands to reason that the national side will follow suit.
After all, if they are eligible what’s the big deal?
It isn’t a simplistic issue given the mobility of labour, and relevant legislation, that exists nowadays, and England aren’t the only country to make use of such players, but is it really so hard to select from among your own?
The likes of Robson, Pietersen, Jonathan Trott and Craig Kieswetter came to these shores purely for cricketing and mercenary reasons, not for some alleged allegiance to the flag. This shouldn’t prevent, as mentioned earlier, individuals from seeking employment but there is no reason why they should play cricket for England.
Would players of this ability not get a game in their respective home nations?
Remember that the Australian cricketing authorities changed the regulations so that Robson could play as a non-overseas (how ironic) player in state cricket, so he was obviously on New South Wales’ radar.
With more counties than states or provinces, there can be little doubt that opportunity can be more forthcoming in England, which is why numerous cricketers end up over here. Counties, especially those who see it is as development without having to do anything of the sort, will always look for the cushy number and this is where the problem will forever lie.
The selectors are the ones who have the power, should they wish, to put an end to the likes of Robson choosing a flag of convenience.
Just as county coaches don’t have to go down the Kolpak route, those whose task it is to select the national team could alter their criteria to suit.
There is the argument of choosing the best available regardless of how they arrived at that point, and it has some merit, but isn’t it a bit of a cop out?
Millions of pounds per annum are generated by our national team – the county game couldn’t exist without the handouts received by each club – and producing players of the requisite standard should be a necessity for those being kept afloat, not an option.
Don’t hold your breath though, as the argument Robson’s ascension has reinvigorated will only surface again when the next Australian or South African gets presented with a navy blue cap.
Watching the Middlesex opener bat at Headingley, after a twitchy debut at Lord’s the previous week, it was clear that a good talent had been unearthed (?) and good on him for taking his chance.
But as a dyed-in-the-wool Australian, he shouldn’t be plying his trade for England.
Pat Rodgers
Roar Pro
Sam Robson has been playing in England for 6 -7 years. It is not as if he has just parachuted in and suddenly been picked. He was not really given much of a look in by selectors in Australia so I say good luck to him. It was tremendous that he scored a century last Test and that his brother, Angus, then scored a ton against India the next Saturday - both in front of a very proud mum and dad. Sam and Angus have worked hard and taken their opportunities.
boroble
Guest
Thought this was a sport blog?
dave
Guest
So his mum is English? He woulda been called a pom his whole life even though he was born in Oz Maybe he would never get a game for Aus but he might finaly be called an ozzie for trying. Now he's playing for Engalnd? Toughen up mate The first 18 years of pom abuse are just the initiation and after 50 years living here you will still get called a pom even though you were born in Oz,BUT If you played for Australia and scored a century.... Nah your stil a pom its probably best your playing for England.
Charl
Guest
Sort of like Australia which poaches doctors from third world countries which pay hundreds of thousands to train them, then Aus gets them for free?
JimmyB
Guest
Thanks for your succinct summation Trenno, you appear to be a very insightful fellow.
JimmyB
Guest
Ay?
JimmyB
Guest
If you're suggesting that the rugby team were all born in Australia then you're just plain wrong I'm afraid.
Trenno
Guest
There is no Nefarious plot, Poms just cant play cricket and need to import. Simple.
Trenno
Guest
Awesome, so at least you now agree the 2005 ashes winning team were insecure.
Trenno
Guest
Yet they all were born in Australia...
boroble
Guest
As an Aussie who has two kids with an English partner I would be devastated if they were international cricketers and chose to play cricket for England. Saying that if someone who has dual citizenship wants to play for another country, then let them go. I am aware of the Wallabies' issue and find that frustrating. Almost as frustrating as them poaching League players (more of a League fan than Rugby). My big concern is the money that is spent developing a player who then goes and plays for another country. A friend's son was a fringe Queensland cricketer for several years during his teens at the same time as Sam Hain was coming through (my friend's son was sadly never quite good enough to make the squad). Even then, Hain was declaring himself for England but money was spent developing him at the expense of another kid. I don't know of a solution to this, but I do find it frustrating that all that development has been "wasted" on someone who will be representing an opposing team. Perhaps financial compensation to the country/state who did the development should happen?? Would help the smaller nations and would be a small compensation to the larger ones.
JimmyB
Guest
Mate, I do get it and understand why you guys are a bit upset about it but at the same time every situation is different and in this particular case I think it would be fair to say that it was a personal decision by Robson rather than some nefarious plot from the ECB. With regards the A League scenario that you put forward, it may well happen sooner than you think as it appears that the A League is on the up, I'd say it's about where the Premiership was at its inception. There is only two things holding back the ALeague that I can see and that's history (I.e Football has always been the number 1 sport in the UK, it hasn't in Australia, although it's getting more popular) secondly, the Premiership is the richest League in the world which is purely down to television rights, the ALeague somehow needs to land a mega contract.
TheTruth
Guest
JimmyB, it's not really the end of the world is it? but it does happen and to be honest, if the individual would prefer to play for Eng then I say they should nick off and play for em ;) That said, if they are brought up in the national youth program and decide to change allegiance, then it tends to annoy, as that spot could've gone to someone who wanted to play for Aus. A fair bit of coin goes towards these youngsters. Similarly, if a young English footballer who was brought through the english ranks as a youth but couldn't crack the top squad at 18/19 nd decided to play A-league was suddenly at 23 the best striker in either country but chose to play for Aust, the uproar form England would be as bad. (obviously an extreme hypothetical)
Beauty of a geek brains of a bimbo(atgm)
Guest
This article is a cricket related one hence boxing soccer rugby etc is irrelevant imo.
Beauty of a geek brains of a bimbo(atgm)
Guest
Coz he has been bowling in excess of 145kmph for his county side
JimmyB
Guest
Was he that Italian fella?
JimmyB
Guest
One thing I would say is that there are a hell of a lot of international cricketers that have done well out of English cricket, getting a chance to play county cricket has been the international finishing school and over the last 20 years or so, particularly for Australians.
JimmyB
Guest
We're coming for all of you, lock up your sons and daughters! (Affects pirate voice) ooh aah
Minz
Guest
Personally, I reckon it's embarrassing and shows insecurity, but evidently that's just me...
JimmyB
Guest
Fair does. Tbf, I was really talking about David Lord, with regards lazily looking for hits. I've read on this very site quite a few times recently that the more hits an article received has a direct correlation to the authors payment, should have known it was BS. We obviously differ regarding who should be able to play for England, but that's ok. I'm thinking that we should be considering doing a poaching mission to Asia seeing as we are now in desperate need of a spinner. :)