Ollie Robinson reveals talks with England as Sussex seamer eyes Test return

And after that game, Robinson revealed McCullum had texted him ahead of the start of the season, and subsequent discussions with Rob Key, managing director of men’s cricket at the ECB.

“It was nice to get those messages and calls from Keysy because at the start of the year, when I wanted to take the captaincy on, I didn’t realise the door was still open, I thought it was closed,” Robinson admitted. “Those messages spurred me on. I have never had any issues [with England]. I love [Ben] Stokesy as a guy, I really enjoyed Baz [McCullum] when I played under him.

“A few things went on in India, but I don’t know what they really were. We never ironed anything out if there were big issues, but to get the message from Baz and calls from Keysy suggests whatever it was has been left behind, the door is open and I just need to perform to get back in. I think that is a really nice thing as a player to have. It is nice to know performances can get me back in rather than anything else.”

Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson appear likely to form part of England’s seam attack for the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s, which begins on Thursday 4 June. Jofra Archer is currently featuring in the Indian Premier League and could well feature at some stage in the series.

Brydon Carse is working his way back from a hand injury and fellow Durham quick Mark Wood is making tentative strides towards a return after a knee issue curtailed his Ashes.

England struggled for new-ball accuracy and penetration in Australia. Essex’s Sam Cook made his Test debut against Zimbabwe last summer and could well contend, while Olly Stone has been in good form for Nottinghamshire in recent weeks.

Stokes, meanwhile, is set to make his return to action for Durham at Worcestershire on Friday.