England’s preparations for Wednesday’s second Test against New Zealand have hit another snag, with Ollie Robinson booked in for a precautionary knee scan and uncapped Sussex quick Henry Crocombe added to the squad as cover.
Robinson, fresh from match-winning figures of 7 for 77 on his return at Lord’s, reported “knee soreness” after Monday’s training. An England statement confirmed: “Uncapped seamer Henry Crocombe has been called into the England Men’s Test squad as cover for Ollie Robinson. Robinson experienced knee soreness after a training session yesterday and is set to undergo a precautionary scan today.”
Crocombe, 24, left Sussex’s Championship match against Glamorgan once the call came. The right-armer has 21 Division One wickets this season at 28.61 and impressed for England Lions earlier in the month with 4 for 65 against South Africa A. Sussex coach Paul Farbrace said, “Hen keeps things simple, hits the pitch hard and loves a contest. He won’t be overawed.”
England are already juggling resources after Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were stood down for disciplinary reasons. Jofra Archer, back from the IPL, plus Matthew Fisher and Sonny Baker, are the other pace options on the 15-man sheet. Bowling lead Troy Cooley had Robinson, Archer and Atkinson working through overs in Hove nets last week, trying to manage workloads in a congested World Test Championship window.
“He’s ticked every box on fitness and professionalism this year,” skipper Joe Root said of Robinson after the Lord’s win. Root’s task now is factoring in another possible reshuffle. Should Robinson miss out, Archer would be favourite to share the new ball, while Crocombe offers a tall, brisk alternative should extra pace be required on an Oval surface that can flatten out after day two.
New Zealand, 1–0 down and reeling from Kane Williamson’s sudden retirement, have their own selection puzzles. Head coach Gary Stead admitted, “We’ll need a fresh batting plan without Kane; England’s attack has asked new questions.”
Robinson’s scan result is expected by Tuesday morning. England will finalise their XI once medical staff give the all-clear—or otherwise. As Farbrace put it, “These weeks rarely go exactly to script. The good teams adapt.”
