England award Henry Crocombe two-year deal in 39-player contract list

England have included uncapped fast bowler Henry Crocombe among 11 players receiving two-year contracts in an updated list of 39 contracted cricketers announced on Monday. BBC Sport reported that 30 players hold full central contracts and nine have development deals, with Test captain Joe Root and white-ball captain Harry Brook also receiving two-year agreements. The new multi-year contracts run until 30 September 2028.

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Crocombe's two-year award is unprecedented for an uncapped England player, according to the BBC. He is one of five specialist fast bowlers receiving multi-year deals, alongside Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker and Josh Tongue. The BBC attributed the expanded number of contracted players to budget space created by the international retirements of high earners including Ben Stokes and Mark Wood.

Seven players have received full central contracts for the first time: Crocombe, Emilio Gay, Jordan Cox, Dan Lawrence, Tom Banton, Sam Cook and Matt Fisher. Ollie Robinson also returns to the list after two years without a contract, following his performances on returning to the Test side during the home summer. Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir retains his deal and is the only specialist red-ball spinner on the full central-contract list, while Mason Crane and Liam Patterson-White receive development agreements.

Brydon Carse remains on the list under a two-year contract awarded last year that runs until autumn 2027. His position is separate from the new two-year awards. Director of cricket Rob Key told the Test Match Special podcast that Carse could play for England again, depending on the outcome of a Cricket Regulator charge. Carse remains available for selection but has been taking time away from international cricket.

England also confirmed revised coaching groups under Test head coach Stephen Fleming and white-ball coach Brendon McCullum. Richard Dawson leaves his role as Glamorgan head coach to join Fleming's staff, alongside James Foster and Eric Simons. Fleming previously worked with Foster and Simons at Chennai Super Kings. Marcus Trescothick stays with the Test group after taking interim charge for the home series against Pakistan.

McCullum retains Sarah Taylor, Jeetan Patel and Tim Southee in the white-ball setup. Kevin Pietersen will also work with those teams before next year's 50-over World Cup in southern Africa, the BBC reported.