Jacobi linked with move to Rangers

Jacobi Robinson’s days as Somerset captain could be over.

The 25-year-old all-rounder is currently at odds with his club, who allegedly suspended him for the remainder of the cricket season for “abandoning” his team.

Robinson hasn’t played for Somerset since Cup Match due to a bothersome knee injury.

He is currently undergoing surgery in a Baltimore hospital.

The former national team player said he was “stunned” to learn from team sources that he had been suspended by his club — especially since they were aware of his injury.

He added: “I feel as though I am being punished simply because I am injured. I am upset because I have played for Somerset Cricket Club for 13 years and given them everything I have.”

Robinson claims he was advised by club officials not to play prior to Cup Match to avoid further damaging his injured right knee.

Robinson also claims that Somerset coach Winston Reid was among those who agreed he have a Cortisone injection in his knee to help “ease the pain” the day before his club’s final Cup Match trial.

Somerset’s decision to impose disciplinary sanctions upon their captain has reportedly not gone down well with many at the club, including a number of Robinson’s team-mates.

There are even those at the club who have gone as far as to accuse Somerset officials of using Robinson’s injury woes as a perfect excuse to oust him from the top post he has held for the past four years.

But Somerset Cricket Club president Richard Scott squashed rumours that Robinson has been sacked as the club’s captain.

Scott said: "As far as I know Jacobi is still our captain."

He added with regard to Robinson’s suspension: “There may have been a misunderstanding, but that has all been rectified."

A team source added: “Jacobi is Somerset Cricket Club’s captain. Someone else (Jordan DeSilva) is captaining the team in his absence, but as far as I know Jacobi is the captain.

“Jordan was the vice-captain and so he is now captaining the team. Jacobi has a bad knee and so he opted not to play any more cricket in that condition.

“As far as I know Jacobi is overseas to get the knee checked and operated on because apparently it’s worst than he originally thought.”

There is already speculation that Robinson may transfer from Somerset during the off-season, with Southampton Rangers among the clubs he has been linked with.

But when asked what his intentions for next season were, Robinson held his cards close to his chest.

He said: “I haven’t made any decision yet…. I’m just trying to get my knee in order. I haven’t made any decision about what I am going to do next year.”

Rangers player/coach Janeiro Tucker said he was unaware of Robinson moving to Southampton. He said: “He (Jacobi) told me that he was no longer Somerset’s captain, but that’s it. He never mentioned anything about transferring.”