According to seam bowler Ollie Robinson, England could give Australia a “good hiding” in this summer’s Ashes.
The series kicks off on June 1 at Edgbaston as England looks to rebound from a 4-0 defeat in Australia last winter.
England then lost to the West Indies, but have since defeated New Zealand, South Africa, and Pakistan in Test series, winning 10 of their last 12.
“It’s such an exciting time to play Australia at home with the team and squad we have right now,” Robinson said.
“When we went to Australia, we weren’t quite at our best,” he admitted to BBC Radio Sussex. I believe we have a good chance of getting one over them this summer.
“It’s a dream come true to be a part of a home Ashes. That can’t get any better than that.”
Sussex paceman Robinson, 29, has 66 wickets in 16 Tests at an average of 21.27 since making his debut in 2021, but was part of the team that was soundly defeated in Australia last time out.
However, England’s revival has been dramatic since Brendon McCullum took over as coach last summer, including the recent 3-0 series win in Pakistan, in which Robinson was the leading wicket-taker among the quick bowlers with nine dismissals.
The right-arm seamer believes the New Zealander’s positive style of play, along with captain Ben Stokes, has been revolutionary, and one that the rest of the world must emulate.
“At some point, other Test nations will have to try to play the way we play in order to compete,” Robinson added.
“That can only be good for the fans and good to watch, the entertainment we are producing is like nothing we have seen in Test cricket before.
“Teams will follow suit at some point; it just depends on how long it takes for some to do so.
“Brendan McCullum and Stokesy have changed the game for us – the confidence they’ve given the players, the batters especially.
“I think the fans can see that the way we’re going out there and putting on a show, almost performing for people, that’s the message they’re sending and we’re trying to entertain them.”
Robinson’s form has been tremendous since his first call-up, but the recent reconnection in the bowling attack between James Anderson and Stuart Broad is something the Kent-born quick believes has greatly benefited him.
Following England’s 1-1 series draw in New Zealand last month, Anderson, 40, has 685 Test wickets and Broad, 36, has 576, breaking the record for the most Test wickets played together, surpassing Australia legends Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath’s mark of 1,001.
“It’s one of a kind. “I’m very fortunate to be able to learn from those two,” Robinson said.
“You can see in every game they play that they’re still developing now – at the ripe old age of 40 for Jimmy. It’s unique to be able to learn from and play with them, and it can only benefit me in the future and now.”
Robinson, who moved to Sussex from Yorkshire in 2015, hopes to be part of an all-star team on the south coast when the 2023 season begins.
He could join England fast bowler Jofra Archer, star Australia batter Steve Smith, and India’s Cheteshwar Pujara in the Hove-based county’s County Championship opener against Durham on April 6.
“Jof has IPL [Indian Premier League] commitments as well, but we might get Jofra for one game, so it could be me, Jof, Smith, and Pujara at Hove – it could be a very good team,” Robinson said.
“Last year, I had a month of not playing, it put me back, so this year I’m going to play as much as possible.
“I’m hoping to play the first game of the year and keep playing cricket because I feel like that’s when I’m at my best and my body is at its best.”
Former Australia captain Smith has agreed to join Sussex ahead of the Ashes.
The 33-year-old will face Worcestershire, Leicestershire, and Glamorgan in three matches in May.
Pujara has signed for a second season with India after scoring over 1,000 first-class runs for them in 2022 and captaining the side during the One-Day Cup.
“We have new management now, and there’s a different vibe around the group, so I feel like I should play the first game and try to get a win on the board early,” Robinson added.
“I’ll try to play whenever I can. The plan, I believe, is to play four or five games before the Ashes series.”