Former England skipper Nasser Hussain reckons Zak Crawley’s mode of dismissals is becoming a concern for the team. It is well known that Crawley likes to drive through the off-side but it is also leading to his downfall.
The right-hander was dismissed while attempting to play the cover drive in the recent three-match Test series against New Zealand. Furthermore, Crawley was dismissed by Indian captain Jasprit Bumrah when he once again meddled with the outside off-stump delivery which he could have left easily.
The outside edge was produced and Shubman Gill took a simple catch at third slip. Crawley was dismissed for nine runs and once again could not give a good start to England. In fact, Crawley is averaging only averaging 26.29 after playing 25 Test matches and a lot of cricket experts believe that he is very lucky to be still getting chances in the team’s playing XI as he hasn’t delivered the goods consistently.
However, the team’s captain Ben Stokes and new head coach Brendon McCullum have put their weight behind the opener.
Nasser Hussain told Sky Sports, “It is a real test for this new era, and McCullum and Stokes, because they’ve given Crawley their backing and this is how they want to play their cricket.”
“It is the repetitive nature of dismissals that must surely, eventually, become a concern. Driving without due care and attention against the moving ball is going to get you in trouble. You might get the odd pretty, crisp four through the offside but eventually a bowler of Bumrah or [Tim] Southee’s ability will back themselves to find the edge.”
Hussain added that Crawley needs to improve his game as he has got all the natural talent under his belt to be a successful batter at the top of the order.
“What really matters is what he thinks and whether he thinks he should change. If you’re sitting there as Zak Crawley, are you comfortable being this player, this inconsistent talent or do you want to improve, get better and become more consistent and not play the shot of the day but the innings of the day like Alastair Cook or Michael Atherton used to play? At the end of the day, it is your career and you’re in charge of it.”
Meanwhile, England were 84-5 at the end of the second day’s play and they are in some trouble as they trail by 332 runs.
