Ollie Robinson, who was expected to play a key role in the series decider, has been ruled out of the third Test vs West Indies. England skipper Joe Root revealed that the pacer struggled to prove his fitness in a net session.

England face West Indies in the third Test starting from March 24 at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada. The series is locked at 0-0. 

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Robinson had big shoes to fill after England’s veteran pacers James Anderson and Stuart Broad were omitted from the squad touring the Carribean. However, the 28-year-old struglled with a back spasm during the warm-up match before the three-match series began. He was ruled out of the tests in Antigua and Barbados, which both ended in draws.

Hence, it looks like Robinson will travel back home without making a single appearance in the complete tour. 

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England all-arounder Craig Overton missed the second Test due to illness. However, Root said that the Somerset player was deemed fit after the practice session on Tuesday. He will most likely replace Matthew Fisher. 

“The two of them trained and Ollie wasn’t as good as we would have liked or he was expecting himself,” England captain Joe Root said of Robinson and Overton. 

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“It’s just frustrating for him as it is for me. He’s working very hard but there’s something that’s nagging away at him. I’m not sure exactly of the medical prognosis. He’s just got to keep on doing what he’s doing and trust in time that he’s going to get himself back.”

Robinson’s availability would have meant the end of this tour for out of form Chris Woakes. Now, with the pacer not in the playing 11, Woakes and Saqib Mahmood will lead England’s bowling attack.

The prospects of a second spinner — in Matt Parkinson, to back up Jack Leach — playing have receded given the prospect of a greener, livelier surface.

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“I think we’re looking forward to a wicket with a bit more grass on it, as all of our seamers will be,” Root said. “By all accounts that’s what we’re expecting here.”

Grenada last hosted a test in 2015, when England claimed a nine-wicket win following an unbeaten 182 by Root.