The fast bowler enjoyed a breakout year with Sussex although it was still an unprecedented move for England to hand him a two-year central contract earlier this month as he had not played for them in any format.

Crocombe made his England debut in their agonising one-wicket defeat against Pakistan on Sunday, with his family watching on television back home, and while he went at more than nine an over, he claimed his maiden wicket when Saim Ayub edged to slip.

A maiden international wicket for Crocombe ☝ pic.twitter.com/BV4hE2fuRe

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 25, 2026

“It gives you a little bit of backing and just lets you know I’m good enough to be here,” Crocombe told the Press Association.

“I’ve earned the opportunity to play and open the bowling for England. No matter how confident you are, in that situation, it’s always nice to just have something that lets you know that I should be here.

“I was getting messages afterwards, my sister said she was crying, I’m sure my mum was, my dad probably was as well! It would have been nice to have had them here but anywhere you can make your debut is a good day.”

Crocombe re-entered the attack when Pakistan needed three runs to win and he was dispatched for four by number 11 Haris Rauf first ball to effectively end England’s hopes of reaching the tri-series final.

But the 25-year-old has no problem with being thrown in at the deep end by captain Harry Brook and will be hoping to stay in the XI when England take on Sri Lanka on Thursday with just pride to play for after three successive defeats.

“I thought if this goes well, I get the wicket and we win the game,” Crocombe said. “It didn’t go that way but that’s the game. I was excited to have the opportunity and for Brooky to chuck me the ball and back me in that situation.”

Surrey-bound Crocombe took 40 wickets in 10 County Championship matches in 2026 and he revealed he owes much of his success to his improved wobble seam bowling, with Sussex captain Ollie Robinson offering a helping hand.

Robinson is one of the best exponents of the in-vogue delivery, which causes unpredictable movement off the pitch, as he collected 28 wickets in four Tests at a Victorian-era average of 9.32 this summer.

“This year has been the year that has changed a lot for me,” Crocombe said. “Six months ago, I was just playing for Sussex, wasn’t playing any Lions stuff, wasn’t in The Hundred and nowhere near an England team.

“I wasn’t expecting the full central contract. I was hoping I was going to get a development contract and I would have been chuffed with that. I suppose it shows the backing the management have in me and the potential they see.

“I think I’ve figured out my wobble seam a lot more, I’ve got that down and I can rely on that. Ollie helped me with my wrist position and fingers. I wouldn’t say I’m anywhere near mastering it but it’s done well for me.”

Crocombe, who bowls at around mid-80mph, getting his foot in the door now comes just before a bumper 2027, with England bidding to retain the Ashes on home soil and going for 50-over World Cup glory in southern Africa.

“I’m not going to get too ahead of myself,” Crocombe added. “We’ve got so many very good young seamers. Whether I get the opportunity, I’m not sure, if I do then great. But there’s so much time, I’m not expecting anything. I’m sure I’ll get an opportunity at some point.”

:: England were fined 15 per cent of their match fee after being ruled to be three overs short when time allowances were taken into consideration during their dramatic one-wicket defeat to Pakistan.