Henry Crocombe took his second hat-trick in two games in Sussex's County Championship fixture against Essex at Chelmsford today (September 3).
The highly-rated young pacer joined an exclusive club of bowlers who have taken hat-tricks in two successive first-class appearances.
His three wickets today were part of a monumental collapse from Essex, which saw them lose the final seven wickets of their first innings in 4.1 overs.
The first of Crocombe's victims was Simon Harmer, who got a straight ball which cannoned into his front pad, leaving the home side six wickets down. Into Essex's tail, Crocombe bowled his next ball to Zaman Akhter, who got a near identical delivery which hooped in more than Harmer's, and once again struck the front pad. The final of Crocombe's deliveries to seal his hat-trick was his best, a repeat of his first two but curling in even further to thud into Shane Snater's leg stump, after which Crocombe took off with his arms outstretched.
Henry Crocombe has taken his SECOND Sussex hat-trick in the space of ONE WEEK pic.twitter.com/s9X2DjKEzZ
— Rothesay County Championship (@CountyChamp) September 3, 2026
Having dismissed Charlie Allison in the over before taking his hat-trick, Crocombe completed his five-for the following over, when he bowled Mitchell Killeen. He finished his spell with figures of 5-39, all five wickets taken within 14 deliveries.
That remarkable feat follows on from Crocombe's performance last week, where he took a hat-trick to finish off Somerset's first innings before the match petered out into a rain-affected draw.
Crocombe joins a small list of players of players who have taken hat-tricks in successive first-class matches. Statistician Andrew Samson said on County Championship commentary that the feat has only been achieved seven times before.
This achievement comes as part of a breakthrough summer for Crocombe. He was called-up for England's squad for their second Test against New Zealand as injury cover for Sussex teammate Ollie Robinson. The end of this season will see him depart Sussex for Surrey, after competition to draw his services away from financial strain at Hove. However, Surrey stand delicately poised in the relegation battle, currently one place clear of safety, while Sussex, despite their points penalties, are likely safe.
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