Surrey and Hampshire are just two of the counties chasing the services of England new boy Henry Crocombe as the final year of his contract winds down at Sussex.
The 24-year-old missed out on a first England cap after being called in as a replacement for his county team-mate Ollie Robinson against New Zealand.
But he spent Wednesday watching his first ever day of Test cricket at the Oval, a ground he could be calling home next season.
Crocombe trained this week at the Oval as part of an England Test squad for the first time (Photo: PA)The i Paper understands that Surrey are in pole position to secure his services but that Hampshire, Yorkshire and reigning county champions Nottinghamshire are also interested in securing the services of a fast bowler who has shone for Sussex this season.
Crocombe’s contract is up at the end of the season and he has been able to speak to potential suitors since 1 June.
His county are in a difficult position off the pitch, despite finding themselves just a point off Division One table-toppers Essex.
It’s a remarkable achievement for a club that started the season with a 12-point deduction in the County Championship as a result of an overspend that they’re now battling to pay off.
Sussex need to cut around £400,000 from their men’s playing budget before the 2027 season, meaning Crocombe isn’t just hot property but also someone the club look almost certain to offload.
James Coles is a man in demand but Sussex hope to hang onto him (Photo: Getty)First picked for the England Lions in 2024 for a tour to South Africa, Crocombe has so far taken 21 wickets at a cost of 28.61 in Division One.
His figures aren’t dissimilar to Hampshire’s Sonny Baker who has been handed a first Test cap against New Zealand at the Oval.
Another player who is likely to be attracting considerable interest is James Coles, who scored 224 not out in Sussex’s win over Glamorgan last week.
The 22-year-old attracted a monster auction fee of £390,000 in this year’s Hundred auction, with the London Spirit seeing off competition from Sunrisers Leeds and the Trent Rockets to sign him.
The left-armer’s situation is more complex than Crocombe’s, with his Hove deal – like that of England’s Ollie Robinson – having a further year to run.
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Chris Stocks: England’s oldest cricket county is a ticking time bomb Chris Stocks: I’ve seen a new side to Brendon McCullum in the Ben Stokes crisisThe i Paper understands that Coles will remain at the county next season unless Sussex decide it’s necessary to remove the all-rounder from the payroll.
As it stands, there has been no indication that the county’s current situation will necessitate them being forced to offload players who still have time on their contracts remaining.
Sussex’s plight would be helped by players such as Coles being handed an England contract to ease the financial burden on Paul Farbrace’s side.
That said, signing such an immensely talented player with no current international commitments would be a huge draw for those counties who could afford him.
A number of counties, including Hampshire, who have been a long-standing admirer of the player, will be watching developments carefully.
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