Crocombe’s selection may raise eyebrows, given other recent picks such as Essex’s Sam Cook or Durham’s Matthew Potts have been overlooked, but it should not be a big surprise.
When England named their Test squad at the start of the summer, Key mentioned the tall, strong quick saying he had “really kicked on” this season.
Crocombe, a product of Sussex’s academy, was first picked by England Lions in 2024 before struggles with injury.
It was when he began this County Championship season with his first five-wicket haul, taking nine in the match against Leicestershire, that he began to seriously catch the eye.
Another right-arm quick, Crocombe bowls at a lively pace.
Overall, his statistics this season are solid – a Championship average of 28.61 while sitting joint 11th in the wicket-takers’ list – and he has the skills England value.