Tim Robinson, the 23-year-old New Zealand cricketer, has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting young talents in international cricket. Before pursuing cricket professionally, Robinson was a javelin thrower at Wellington College, demonstrating remarkable athletic ability from an early age.
He transitioned to cricket through the Wellington Firebirds, making his debut in the Super Smash league in 2021. His performances in domestic T20s quickly caught the eye, particularly during the 2023–24 season when he amassed 298 runs in six innings, averaging 59.60 with an aggressive strike rate of 187.42.
Robinson made his T20I debut in April 2024 against Pakistan and his ODI debut in November 2024 against Sri Lanka. In 13 T20Is, he has scored 384 runs at an average of 38.40, including two half-centuries and a maiden century, while in ODIs, he has accumulated 48 runs in three matches. His combination of power-hitting and tactical awareness makes him a versatile player capable of performing in both formats.
Robinson’s breakthrough came in a T20I match against Australia, where he scored a maiden T20I century of 106 runs off 66 balls. Stepping in for the injured Rachin Ravindra, Robinson arrived at a difficult moment when New Zealand was struggling at 6/3 in the second over.
He showcased remarkable composure and technical skill, first building a partnership with Daryl Mitchell and later with Bevon Jacobs to stabilize the innings. Robinson’s aggressive yet calculated stroke play allowed him to dominate the Australian bowlers, and he reached his century on the final ball of the innings, helping New Zealand post a competitive total of 181 in 20 overs.
His innings not only demonstrated his power-hitting ability but also highlighted his temperament under pressure, marking him as a player capable of anchoring and accelerating the innings when needed.
Despite Robinson’s heroics, Australia responded with a strong batting performance, chasing down New Zealand’s total in 16.3 overs. Mitchell Marsh played a match-winning knock of 85, supported by valuable contributions from Travis Head, Mathew Short, and Tim David, securing a comfortable 6-wicket victory for the visitors. While New Zealand fell short, Robinson’s century was widely praised, signaling the arrival of a new T20I talent.
His journey from athletics to cricket, combined with his fearless approach to batting, positions him as a promising figure in New Zealand cricket’s future. Fans and selectors alike will be watching closely as Robinson continues to refine his game and establish himself as a key player in the international arena.
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