Donald and Crocombe get England white-ball call-ups

England have named uncapped Derbyshire opener Aneurin Donald and Sussex seamer Henry Crocombe in their squads for the upcoming white‑ball series against Sri Lanka. Donald joins the 16‑player roster for the three‑match T20 contest, while Crocombe is included in the 16‑man line‑up for the three one‑day internationals. The 29‑year‑old Donald finished the Vitality Blast with 489 runs in 12 games and topped the competition’s six‑hitting chart with 37 sixes, also featuring for Trent Rockets in the Hundred final. The 24‑year‑old Crocombe has taken hat‑tricks in his last two County Championship outings and recorded three five‑wicket hauls this season, prompting England selector Marcus North to praise both as “promising players who have earned their places on the back of impressive performances in domestic cricket”.

The call‑ups come amid a spate of injuries and disciplinary issues affecting England’s white‑ball pool. All‑rounder Jacob Bethell remains sidelined after successful knee surgery, targeting a return for the November series against Australia, while batter Phil Salt is out with a right‑quad injury. Bowler Jamie Overton, who missed the India white‑ball series due to a thigh problem, has been retained in both squads. Conversely, Durham pacer Brydon Carse was omitted following his brief arrest after an alleged assault outside a Derby nightclub on 22 August; the ECB emphasized that the decision reflects the need for him to address the incident rather than any presumption of guilt.

The selections underline England’s reliance on domestic form to replenish a squad weakened by injuries and off‑field concerns. Donald’s explosive T20 credentials and Crocombe’s recent wicket‑taking feats provide fresh options for the limited‑overs fixtures, while the continued absence of Bethell, Salt and Carse reshapes the team’s balance. The series against Sri Lanka will therefore serve as a proving ground for the newcomers and a chance for the side to stabilize ahead of future commitments, including the ODI tri‑series in Pakistan and the high‑profile Australia tour later in the year.

⚡ Effects Interpreter