England Lions Select Young Pace Bowlers for South Africa A Series
Sussex's Henry Crocombe and Lancashire's Mitchell Stanley have been named among the pace bowlers in the England Lions squad set to face South Africa A in two four-day matches later this month.
Crocombe was specifically mentioned by England's director of cricket, Rob Key, as a player under close observation when the senior England squad was announced for the first Test against New Zealand earlier this week.
Despite having played only five first-class matches, 25-year-old Stanley is highly regarded by the England hierarchy, including Lions coach Andrew Flintoff.
At 24, Crocombe has taken 19 wickets in the County Championship this season prior to the latest round of matches commencing on Friday. He is included in the squad for the second match against South Africa A, scheduled for 29 May at Beckenham, with the first game to be held at Arundel on 22 May.
Transition in England's Pace Bowling Line-Up
England's pace bowling department is undergoing change following a disappointing Ashes series and the successive retirements of Stuart Broad, James Anderson, and Chris Woakes.
Ollie Robinson has returned to international cricket after a two-year absence with his selection for the first Test against New Zealand. The squad also features uncapped Hampshire paceman Sonny Baker. Brydon Carse is sidelined due to injury, and Jofra Archer will be rested after participating in the Indian Premier League.
The full squad selection panel included Marcus North, who recently left his role as Durham's director of cricket to become a national selector for England.
Marcus North Praised for England Selector Role
Durham head coach Ryan Campbell spoke highly of North's appointment during an interview with BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, dismissing concerns about North's Australian background.
"Marcus has taken this club to another level," Campbell said. "England cricket have made an unbelievably good choice.
"He's as English as an Australian can be. He married an English lady, he has lived in the north east for years, he has invested in county cricket for years.
"He will test Brendon McCullum, Ben Stokes and Rob Key and will ask the right questions. He will be unbelievable."
Additional Lions Squad Members and Leadership
Alongside Crocombe and Stanley, the Lions squad includes Hampshire's Eddie Jack and Surrey's Tom Lawes, both seam bowlers who toured Australia over the winter and hold England development contracts.
Other pace bowling prospects in the group are Somerset left-armer Alfie Ogbonne, 22, and Middlesex's 20-year-old Naavya Sharma.
Warwickshire's Dan Mousley will captain the squad, which also features openers Ben McKinney and Asa Tribe. Both were considered potential replacements for Zak Crawley in the England team before McKinney's Durham teammate Emilio Gay was selected instead.
Andrew Flintoff to Lead Lions and Potential Sydney Thunder Role
Andrew Flintoff will continue as Lions coach, with confirmation expected soon that he will become head coach of Sydney Thunder in Australia's Big Bash League. This will be Flintoff's first overseas franchise coaching role following two seasons with Northern Superchargers in The Hundred. He previously had a brief playing stint with Brisbane Heat in the BBL.
Flintoff has led the Lions since 2024, initially on a one-year contract that was extended to early 2027 last year without an official announcement from the England and Wales Cricket Board.
If Flintoff accepts the Thunder position, he is likely to miss the conclusion of the Lions' South Africa tour in December.
England Lions Squad for South Africa A Matches
The squad for the two four-day matches against South Africa A is as follows:
Dan Mousley (captain), Charlie Allison (Essex), Henry Crocombe (second match), Eddie Jack, Ben Geddes, Ben Mayes, Ben McKinney, Tom Lawes, Alfie Ogborne (first match), Liam Patterson-White, James Sales, Naavya Sharma, Mitchell Stanley, Asa Tribe, James Wharton.
