Robinson backs Edness as next skipper

The Bermuda Sun revealed last week that Edness has replaced Robinson as Somerset’s captain for the upcoming season

Robinson’s four–year tenure as captain virtually ended under controversial circumstances when he was suspended for bailing out on his teammates under the guise of a knee injury needing surgery.

Knowledge

Yet despite being stripped of leadership duties, Robinson has vowed to back his successor to the core.

He said: “It’s not going to be easy for him, but I am there to support him wherever I can.

“Jekon has played a lot of international cricket and has been around the game for a long time, therefore he’s got some knowledge.”

Robinson and Edness — who declined to comment on his new role — share a long history together, having grown up playing for Western Stars where they won Belco Cup and Central Counties honors several seasons ago.

While he is prepared to solider on at Somerset, Robinson admits losing the captaincy was a bitter pill to swallow.

He said: “Of course I’m disappointed because I feel I haven’t done anything wrong.

“I feel it was a growing process and I was growing into a better captain.

“But they (management) felt they needed to make changes.”

With his captaincy hanging in the balance, there had been speculation Robinson might seek greener pastures elsewhere.

But a desire to assist the club’s promising crop of budding talent has given the 26-year-old all-rounder the impetus to stay put.

He said: “We have a good bunch of youth up there that need to be guided and I am just trying to help them whichever way I can.

“That’s my inspiration for staying more than anything.”

A knee injury limited Robinson to making cameo appearances last season.

He eventually had surgery in a Baltimore hospital and since then has made a steady recovery.

“My knee is getting there, it’s getting stronger and by the time cricket season comes along it should be alright,” said Robinson, the son of former Stars spinner Wayne Richardson.

Promotion

One of Somerset’s primary objectives during the upcoming season will be gaining promotion to the top tier.

The side was relegated to the First Division in Robinson’s absence at the end of the previous league campaign.

Robinson cited injury to key players as the catalyst behind the west-ender’s demise.

He said: “We could never field a strong team.

“I got hurt and only played seven games, while Jermaine Warner also got hurt and missed a few games.

“We were never really up to par some games.”

Robinson reckons Somerset would have retained their Premier status had they been able to field a stronger nucleus on a regular basis.

He added: “We would have never been relegated as you see we beat St. David’s twice when we had our full team.”