England pace setter Ollie Robinson feared his cricketing career was over as he struggled for fitness in the first half of 2022.
A recurring back problem meant that Robinson only played two first-class games between January and the end of July.
He received five injections before returning to England in the second Test against South Africa in August.
“I kept coming back fully fit, then I had an injury or an illness, then another injury,” he told BBC Sport.
“There were times when I didn’t think I was going to play for England again or play cricket again.
“I thought ‘Maybe I should look at what else I can do here, I don’t think I’ll be able to keep playing cricket’.”
Robinson, 29, has taken 20 wickets in four Tests since returning, including eight on the tour of Pakistan, where England hold an unassailable 2-0 lead heading into the final game of the series in Karachi on Saturday.
Her impressive performance on insensitive pitches in Pakistan comes 11 months after she was publicly asked about her fitness by then England bowling coach Jon Lewis in the final game of the Ashes series in Australia.
“It’s probably the toughest 12 months I’ve had as a professional cricketer,” said Robinson of Sussex.
“It’s a really proud tour for me, in the fact that my body went through it, I played well and proved to the world that I could do it in all conditions.
“It’s been tough and there have been some dark days, but streak wins like this are worth it.”
England’s victory is the first time they have beaten Pakistan in a series outside the UK for 22 years.
They hadn’t won two Tests before in an away series against Pakistan and have the opportunity to become the first team to score a 3-0 sweep in the country.
“It’s an exciting time for English cricket,” Robinson said. “We made it 2-0 and if we can make it 3-0 it will be an incredible effort.
“The boys are ready for one last big push to get it 3-0.”
