D'Arcy Waldegrave: What punishment befits the crime for Ollie Robinson's racist tweets?

England's Ollie Robinson appeals for lbw the wicket of New Zealand's Kane Williamson during the fourth day of the Test match between England and New Zealand at Lord's. Photo / AP

Ollie Robinson the 18-year-old got on Twitter. He was racist and sexist. It came back to rightly bite him at the most inopportune moment of his career. The focus has been on the tweets themselves, not so much about the thought process behind them, which is where the problem truly lies.

The English fast bowler has been stood down after it was revealed by a British tabloid, on the day of Robinson's debut, that he tweeted racist and sexist content.

As you would expect from the English media, this 'gotcha' moment was timed to have maximum effect, which overshadowed a test at their home of cricket, their first of the summer. All class, all clicks, all the time. This is not to say that Robinson's tweets should not be addressed in all seriousness, just to point out that the media are adept at utilising their material in the most effective manner.

There is no doubt these tweets were offensive, but how many people would have their careers hung out and publicly flayed if tweets of a similar nature had been unearthed by the press and released to the masses on their first day at work? As most people exist under the anonymity of the general populace, this wouldn't occur. The further you climb in import and recognition, the more likely it is that your past will catch up and snare you.

From all reports Robinson was contrite and apologetic, as you'd expect under the circumstances. His team mates and a number of prominent individuals have leapt to his defence. Now we await the results of the investigation of the English Cricket Board. Regardless of their determination, important lessons can be lifted from this unfolding social cluster.

Teenagers, although they are legally allowed to vote, drive, marry, procreate, drink and be shot at by the enemy, aren't necessarily in full control of their logic faculties. But not all teenagers are prone to harbouring racist thoughts, nor expressing them. As much as youth can be framed as an excuse, it shouldn't be a reason to dismiss those attitudes as acceptable.

The ECB is correct to stand Robinson down and look deeply into the whole affair. As the ruling body of an enormous and important game such as cricket, to look the other way and hope it goes away, as historical tweets prove, shows life doesn't work like that. They must lead and through this determine frame work around future occurrences. This is their remit, and one that for the good of the game, and the public, they must take on with due reverence.

What now though? What punishment befits the crime? What he has gone through serves as enough punitively, he has been globally shamed and the peek he has had at international cricket, with the imminent return of established players in his position, may well be his only appearance at that level.

They now have a platform to do more than just wear t-shirts expressing stands against racism and homophobia in their sport, t-shirts that promote the want for cricket to be for everyone, the time is for action. To use Robinson as a figurehead, to use him as a tool for change, to show that education leads to understanding and acceptance, will be more effective and beneficial for all.