Birthday special: Zak Crawley – A stylish England batter for the future
August 2020. England are taking on Pakistan in a Test match at The Rose Bowl. And a batter, playing just his 8th Test match comes and flays the Pakistan bowling attack. In a masterclass that lasted 393 deliveries, Zak Crawley scored a resplendent 267 and announced to the world that he is a talent to watch out for.
Crawley is in the early stages of his career but has already shown signs that he has what it takes to succeed at the highest level. Also, Indian cricket legend Sourav Ganguly lavished praises on Crawley after the right-hander’s superb double ton and labelled him as a ‘class player’.
“England have found a very good no 3 in Crawley. looks like a class player. Hope to see him in all formats regularly,” tweeted Sourav Ganguly after Crawley’s sensational double ton.
Crawley is never hurried by pace, he has the ability to time the ball, and also has the hunger for runs. And, these are positive signs for both Crawley as well as England cricket.
He also showed glimpses of his potential in the 4th Ashes Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) against Australia, when he took the attack to the opposition and scored a quick 77 off 100 deliveries at the top of the order. When he is set, the right-hander can stamp his authority against any bowling attack.
After Crawley’s rollicking knock against the Aussies, former England cricketer Michael Vaughan felt that Crawley has shown promise with the willow. Vaughan even wants the England side to give Crawley a long rope.
”Real promise from Zak Crawley. There’s the future for England. He must be given a long run, opening the batting. This is the player England have to give a long run in the side,” said Vaughan about Crawley.
Crawley has played 68 first-class matches and has plundered over 3500 runs at a decent average of 31.13. He has also scored five centuries and 22 half-centuries at the first-class level. And surely, these are decent numbers for a man who is in his early twenties.
Crawley is a batter who has tremendous potential and there is no doubting it. And, surely, the batter has it in him to make it big for the England side with the willow in hand.
