England award Crocombe two-year contract as 39 players receive deals

England have included uncapped fast bowler Henry Crocombe among 11 players awarded two-year central contracts, with 39 cricketers named on their updated contract list on Monday. According to BBC Sport, the announcement covers 30 full central contracts and nine development deals, alongside changes to the coaching teams for Test and white-ball cricket.

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Crocombe's two-year agreement is unprecedented for a player yet to represent England, the BBC reported. His deal runs until 30 September 2028, as do those of Test captain Joe Root and white-ball captain Harry Brook. Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker and Josh Tongue join Crocombe as the five specialist fast bowlers receiving multi-year agreements in the announcement.

There are also first full central contracts for Emilio Gay, Jordan Cox, Dan Lawrence, Tom Banton, Sam Cook and Matt Fisher. Ollie Robinson returns to the list after two years without a contract, following his return to the Test side during the home summer. Shoaib Bashir retains his deal and is the only specialist red-ball spinner among the fully contracted players; Mason Crane and Liam Patterson-White have development agreements.

Brydon Carse remains on the list under the two-year contract awarded last year, which runs until autumn 2027. The Durham bowler is facing a Cricket Regulator charge alleging a breach of ECB professional conduct rules after an August incident outside a Derby nightclub. Derbyshire Police took no action over assault allegations after he was arrested and subsequently de-arrested, BBC Sport reported.

Carse is available for selection but has stayed out of England squads since the incident while taking time away from international cricket. Speaking to the Test Match Special podcast, director of cricket Rob Key said a return remained possible, depending on the outcome of the regulatory case. He rejected the suggestion that the absence of a contract extension settled Carse's international future.

England also confirmed staff appointments under Test head coach Stephen Fleming and white-ball head coach Brendon McCullum. Richard Dawson leaves Glamorgan to join Fleming, alongside James Foster and Eric Simons, while Marcus Trescothick remains with the Test team. Sarah Taylor, Jeetan Patel and Tim Southee stay with McCullum, and Kevin Pietersen will work with the white-ball sides ahead of next year's 50-over World Cup in southern Africa.