Cricket fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the upcoming third Test between India and England in Rajkot. The series is currently tied at 1-1 with three matches left to play. So far, the games have displayed some excellent cricket, with England's rookie spinners outperforming the home team's tweakers. One notable highlight of the series has been the impressive growth of England batsman Zak Crawley, who is becoming increasingly comfortable in the Test match arena.
Although Crawley's opening batting partner, Ben Duckett, boasts a superior average of 42 compared to Crawley's 32, it is the Kent star who seems to have found his footing in the longer format of the game. Standing tall at 6 foot 5 inches, Crawley has had his fair share of ups and downs in his 41 Test matches. However, he has now matured into a player who consistently contributes to the team's success, offering more than just cameo appearances.
After Crawley's sensational score of 267 against Pakistan in Southampton during the COVID-19 impacted 2020 season, there was much speculation that this could be the start of a remarkable career. His knock was ranked as the third-best innings of the year by Wisden Cricket, placing him in the illustrious company of cricketing legends such as Sir Garfield Sobers, Len Hutton, and Donald Bradman, who also achieved Test scores of 250 before the age of 23. It was an impressive feat that hinted at a bright future.
However, Crawley faced some setbacks along the way. He endured a period in which he played eight Tests but managed only eleven single-digit scores. Interestingly, his fortunes began to change during a challenging tour in Australia during the 2021/22 season. His innings of 77 at Sydney captured the attention of former Australian captain, Ricky Ponting, who praised Crawley's mettle, fight, and intent. It was a performance that stood out amidst a struggling team.
Crawley not only had to battle his own deficiencies, such as being prone to nicking off to the slips, but he also faced the weight of following in the footsteps of unsuccessful openers since the retirements of Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook. Over the past decade, England had struggled to find stable openers who could meet international standards. The likes of Adam Lyth, Sam Robson, Mark Stoneman, Alex Lees, Haseeb Hameed, and Rory Burns all had their chances but failed to solidify their positions.
Crawley's resurgence coincided with a change in England's team dynamics as Joe Root's captaincy era came to an end. The arrival of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes as coach and captain, respectively, provided a fresh perspective. McCullum publicly acknowledged that Crawley wasn't suited to consistently score runs but had the potential to win matches for England. This newfound freedom unleashed Crawley's skills and allowed him to showcase his abilities on the field.
With the advent of Bazball and a philosophy of fearlessness, Crawley found himself exploring new gears mentally. He further blossomed during the home Ashes series, starting off with a boundary off the first ball against Australia's Pat Cummins and ultimately scoring a magnificent 189 at a rapid pace in Manchester.
Reflecting on his innings in Sydney, Crawley expressed his pure enjoyment of the game, saying, 'It was not far off the most fun I’ve ever had on a cricket field. I mean, that’s the reason I play the game, for days like that. I massively enjoyed it, absolutely loved it. Cricket, you get so many failures that you have to enjoy the good times.'
Under the new management, Crawley now has the freedom to express himself and make the most of his talent. He is currently in the form of his life, consistently scoring runs and proving to be a valuable asset to the team. As the series against India progresses, fans can expect more entertaining performances from Zak Crawley and witness his continued rise in the Test match arena.
