England vs India: Sam Robson Backs Alastair Cook to Hit Big

Australia-born England opener Sam Robson believes it is only a matter of time before captain Alastair Cook is back in the runs again.

Cook has now gone 25 innings since making the last of his England record 25 Test hundreds, including falling for five in the drawn series opener with India at Trent Bridge, while England's winless run at this level now extends to nine matches. (After dull 1st Test draw, MS Dhoni wants to be tested in English conditions)

But ahead of Thursday's second Test of the five-match campaign at Lord's, Robson was confident his opening partner would be back to his best soon.

"He's a world-class player, he's one of England's best-ever players there's no doubt about that, we're all aware of that," Robson, who has watched many of Cook's most recent struggles from the other end, told Sky Sports on Tuesday. (India skipper Dhoni under fire from Ian Chappell)

"All the close followers of the game who know what they're talking about realise that as well," Robson, who made his Test debut at Lord's against Sri Lanka last month before going on to score his maiden century in the tourists' series-clinching victory at Headingley, added.

"There is no doubt that runs are not far away for him. It's a tough game and it's easy to get out and a few things haven't gone his way in the last couple of Tests from what I can see at the other end.

"Runs are around the corner for him there's no doubt about it," insisted Robson, the 25-year-old son of an Australia-born father and English-born mother, who grew up in Sydney but now plays his cricket for Lord's-based Middlesex.

"He (Cook) has been really good, he's relaxed. As captain, he's been really good to the young guys and to myself coming into the side."

- Strong character -

Meanwhile Robson gave his backing to Simon Kerrigan, called up into the 14-man squad for Lord's a year after a woeful Test debut across London at The Oval saw the left-arm spinner concede 53 runs in just eight wicketless overs against Australia.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan questioned the Lancashire bowler's call-up by telling BBC Radio Five: "I fear for Simon Kerrigan...England have thrown him back into the environment of international cricket far too soon.

"Throwing him out to bowl at Lord's potentially, against an Indian batting line-up that plays spin with its eyes shut, is unfair.

"If he goes out there on Thursday morning and all of a sudden the Indians climb into him... and it's like that situation with Shane Watson, he won't come back for England from that for a long, long time."

Robson, however, insisted Kerrigan had the mental strength to bounce back.

"Things didn't go his way in his first Test (but) he's a strong character, a great guy and he's bowling well.

"He was with us at Trent Bridge all week and he bowled really well in the nets there and I've toured with him in Sri Lanka with the (second-string England) Lions in February and March and he bowled well there.

"Depending on what happens, if he plays I have got no doubt that he will do well."