As England’s first test of the summer peeks out from above the horizon, some of the players from this Bazball era will be hoping for a new dawn.
After an inconsistent winter, where a demoralising 2-1 loss in Pakistan (where England previously won 3-0 on Brendon McCullum’s first away tour) was followed by an uplifting 2-1 win in England’s first series victory in New Zealand since 2007.
One of the big question marks after England’s winter was centred around opener Zak Crawley’s position in the side. After a modest home summer, averaging just over 24 across four innings, the pressure was on for the Kent man to reinforce his place in the side. He had an impressive tour of Pakistan in 2022, where Crawley’s washbuckling approach played a key role, averaging just over 39, with one hundred and fifty as England whitewashed their opponents.
The Lean Run
Unfortunately for England, the then 26-year-old continued on his summer form during this winter, averaging less than 28 with just the one fifty-plus score against Pakistan. This was followed by a disastrous tour of New Zealand, where the 6ft 5in batter averaged just over eight from six innings, being dismissed by Matt Henry on all six occasions.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis lean run, alongside a poor start to Kent’s County Championship season where Crawley is averaging just over 26 from 13 innings, has lead some to question his place in the side, especially with stern tests in the form of India this summer, and Australia this winter to come. In contrast, others have defended the Kent man.
Dan Whiting, a commentator for BBC Radio Kent, told World In Sport: “Crawley has been unfortunate that he has had to open on a number of green tops this year with the ball zipping around. However, he has three 50s in eight knocks in the second innings. I wouldn’t say it is a cause for concern. I have every confidence Zak will come good, though.”
As the one-off test with Zimbabwe looms over Trent Bridge, McCullum and the ECB will be pressed into a decision if Crawley continues his poor run. Rob Key, Managing Director of England Men’s cricket team, and McCullum have been focused on the next Ashes down under ever since their appointments. With the Ashes in mind, Jimmy Anderson was forced into retirement, Ben Foakes’ reserved batting ability was dismissed, and the focus on pace in England’s fast-bowling attack has never been more evident.
For a team that has been so focused on being prepared for an away Ashes series, it could seem contradictory to some to include a player who has consistently failed to prove his ability at the top of the order. If Crawley’s form continues in the same vein, then his test batting average could slip below 30 (currently 30.52) from over 50 test matches. Only eight Englishman have opened a test innings more times than him, none with a lower average than Crawley.
The Opposition
England’s opponents, Zimbabwe, are coming off a historic 1-1 series draw in Bangladesh, in which they showed the ability to adapt to subcontinent conditions and, most importantly, took 20 wickets.
A heavily experienced batting line-up is balanced with an inexperienced but effective bowling attack that has bowled Bangladesh, Ireland, and Afghanistan out twice in one match during the last six months. The Zimbabwean attack is spearheaded by Blessing Muzarabani, who has taken 51 wickets at just over 21 in his short test career so far. This will be the major test for Crawley to pass when he walks out for his first bat of a pivotal summer for himself and England.
Embed from Getty ImagesWho Are the Alternatives?
A ‘finding out’ by the ICC’s tenth ranked test team may trigger the ECB to look at alternative options, previously undesirable but now realistic. Some have touted Durham’s Ben McKinney – a young man taller than Crawley – or Sussex’s Tom Haines as potential replacements for the out-of-form English opener. Others, such as Whiting, highlighted other names on the county circuit.
“There are some good young players around such as Ollie Price who got a 253* for Gloucestershire two weekends ago but not many openers.”, said Whiting.
He added: “Rishi Patel got a hundred for Leicestershire at the same time with (Haseeb) Hameed scoring runs as Nottinghamshire top of Division 1. Openers don’t grow on trees though.”
Haseeb Hameed may be first in line to succeed Crawley if the ECB makes the change, as the Nottinghamshire opener is in red-hot form averaging just under 100 (99.28), passing the fifty mark five times in eleven innings, including 206 not out against Durham a few days ago.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Future
As the English test summer starts, many will be keenly observing what happens at Trent Bridge. Another low-scoring innings may lead to mounting pressure on Crawley’s position in the side.
However, a return to form against Zimbabwe may silence all the critics and show early signs of a repeat of the Ashes summer in 2023 where he was England’s leading run-scorer.
As it seems, England has stuck with the enigmatic Crawley so far, touting his ability to change games and do so quickly – but should he fail once more, the ECB’s patience might finally wear out.
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