England has called up uncapped Sussex fast bowler Henry Crocombe as a backup for Ollie Robinson ahead of the second Test against New Zealand, starting on Wednesday, June 17, at the Oval.
As per the official announcement, Robinson, who was Player of the Match in the first Test at Lord’s, felt knee soreness after training on Friday. He is scheduled for a precautionary scan on Saturday, June 13, to check his availability for the match in South London.
Crocombe, 24, has received his first International call-up to fill in for his Sussex captain. He made the team due to impressive performances in the County Championship, taking 21 wickets in seven matches. His standout game was against Leicestershire in the season’s opening match, where he achieved a nine-wicket haul, including 5 for 33 in the first innings.
Robinson’s injury raises concerns for England ahead of the Test against New Zealand. He returned to the Test squad after two years and helped secure a victory at Lord’s with a five-wicket haul in the first innings.
His injury adds to the issues faced by the team, especially after Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson’s nightclub incident, which came to light earlier this month. They were involved in a brawl with a rugby player, resulting in their removal from the squad.
With Stokes and Atkinson unavailable, Jordan Cox and Jofra Archer are rejoining the Test side, with Joe Root acting as interim captain.
Although Crocombe has been added to the squad, it seems unlikely he will make his international debut at the Oval. Archer is expected to return to the playing XI to replace Atkinson, and if Robinson doesn’t recover by Wednesday, either Sonny Baker or Matt Fisher may take his place.