Like Cox, Robinson started out in Kent before taking his talents to Durham, where he thrived. Since moving to the North East he has averaged 53 in the County Championship, with five centuries among 1,802 runs, at an impressive strike rate of 86.22, helping Durham achieve promotion in 2023 and then stabilize as a team from Division One this summer. He also has 92 dismissals behind the stumps to his name in the previous two seasons.
Robinson, who will turn 26 on Sunday, was unlikely to arrive in New Zealand in time for the first Test in any case, but will only arrive in Christchurch on Saturday, the third day of the first Test, because he had begun the process of renewing his passport when he received the call. A regular in the Lions set-up since 2019, he was due to tour Australia early next year.
He will immediately come into consideration for the second test in Wellington, which begins next Friday (December 6). Robinson was unlucky to miss out on Smith earlier in the summer when England went looking for a new goalkeeper, but he could get the chance to make his case over the next three weeks.