Ollie Robinson is to undergo a knee scan and is a doubt for England’s second Test against New Zealand.
Robinson returned to the England Test set-up for the first time in over two years as he took seven wickets in the first Test at Lord’s, but is suffering with “knee soreness” after a training session on Friday.
England have called up uncapped seamer Henry Crocombe as cover, with the second Test starting at The Kia Oval on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports.
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Robinson adds his name to the history books as he gets a five-wicket haul on day two of the first England v New Zealand Test
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Speaking after victory in the first Test at Lord’s, England captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum heaped praise on the returning Robinson after he took seven wickets after two years away from the England set-up
The seamer’s absence represents potentially another blow to an England bowling attack already without captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson, both of whom were dropped for the second Test after breaching the England team’s new midnight curfew and being at a nightclub when an altercation took place with a Saracens rugby player.
Robinson took 7-77 at Lord’s, meaning that – alongside Atkinson’s 7-39 – England could be missing the two seamers who took 14 of their 20 wickets.
England’s pace attack will likely be spearheaded by the returning Jofra Archer – who himself has been a doubt after missing the first Test due to IPL duties – with Josh Tongue, Matt Fisher and Sonny Baker the other fast bowlers at their disposal.
Who is Henry Crocombe?
Henry Crocombe has taken 21 wickets in County Championship Division One
Crocombe, 24, has enjoyed an impressive season for Sussex in the County Championship, taking 21 wickets with a season-best 9-69 across two innings against Leicestershire.
The fast bowler has also been praised by head coach Brendon McCullum in response to questions over the availability of Archer for the three-Test series.
“You’ve got a multitude of players who are developing through the county system and through the Lions who are on our radar,” McCullum said in a press conference after England’s victory at Lord’s.
Jofra Archer missed the first Test against the Black Caps
“There is some exciting talent: [Henry] Crocombe, Nav Sharma, Eddie Jack. These guys are all in the system and identified.
“Now, we’ve just got to make sure we’re upskilling them so if the opportunity arises in the years to come, they’re ready to step in and perform. It’s a good place to be when you have a battery of fast bowlers you can call on.”
Crocombe is an England Lions regular and took 1-23 last week in the third ODI against South Africa A.
Stokes trains at Riverside
Stokes was back in Durham on Saturday and trained during day two of his county’s Championship game against Derbyshire at the Riverside.
No long-term decision has been made on Stokes’ captaincy as the England and Wales Cricket Board continues to look into the events of the last week, although Sky Sports News understands fears over his position have cooled.
In the meantime, the all-rounder kept his fitness ticking over at Chester-le-Street with a batting session in the nets and a bowl in the middle.
England vs New Zealand – results and schedule
All times UK and Ireland, all games live on Sky Sports
First Test (Lord’s) – England won by 115 runsSecond Test (The Kia Oval) – June 17-21 (11am)Third Test (Trent Bridge) – June 25-29 (11am)
Watch the second Test of the England vs New Zealand series live on Sky Sports from June 17. Not got Sky?
