Even though there are many different forms of cricket, there’s still something special about Test cricket. It appeals to fans and traditionalists of the game and for many English cricketers it’s the pinnacle, with the Ashes against Australia the most hotly anticipated clash on the calendar for the country.
So, if a potential star emerges at that level, it’s exciting for all involved. And, that could be the case with Zak Crawley after the Kent batsman announced himself on the biggest stage with his remarkable performance against Pakistan earlier this year, where he scored an incredible 267.
To put his display into perspective, only four batsmen in history have hit over 250 at a younger age; England’s Sir Len Hutton, Sir Garfield Sobers of the West Indies, Australian legend Sir Don Bradman and former South African skipper Graeme Smith. Of course, it’s far too soon to say if Crawley can get anywhere near the levels some of those greats have reached but it shows the magnitude of his recent achievement.
Obviously, it will also have caught the eyes of the selectors as well as the England fan base and there will be an interest as to how the 22-year-old can progress moving forward. Whilst there is no rush to force him into the side, particularly as England are reasonably well-stocked for options right now, he could emerge as the key talent as the team evolves in the coming years.
As we’ve mentioned, the Ashes is the ultimate for most England cricketers and it seems natural that Crawley will have an eye on the 2021/22 series. As it is being played Down Under, the Aussies are 8/15 favourites, which reflects the talent they have at their disposal as well as home advantage.
However, a lot can change in such a lengthy period and Crawley is sure to have ambitions of establishing himself in the top order for the series. If he is to do that though, he will need to prove he can deliver at a high level in the meantime in upcoming tests and domestically, finding the consistency that those making the big decisions will want to see.
The fact English cricket favourite Paul Collingwood singled the player out for praise in 2019 shows that he has been on the radar of the national team for some time. However, few could have expected him to burst onto the scene in the way he did with that impressive showing.Zak Crawley is the Player of the Match for his 267 👏 👏#ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/GgUhWkdVH2
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) August 25, 2020
To put his display into perspective, only four batsmen in history have hit over 250 at a younger age; England’s Sir Len Hutton, Sir Garfield Sobers of the West Indies, Australian legend Sir Don Bradman and former South African skipper Graeme Smith. Of course, it’s far too soon to say if Crawley can get anywhere near the levels some of those greats have reached but it shows the magnitude of his recent achievement.
Obviously, it will also have caught the eyes of the selectors as well as the England fan base and there will be an interest as to how the 22-year-old can progress moving forward. Whilst there is no rush to force him into the side, particularly as England are reasonably well-stocked for options right now, he could emerge as the key talent as the team evolves in the coming years.
As we’ve mentioned, the Ashes is the ultimate for most England cricketers and it seems natural that Crawley will have an eye on the 2021/22 series. As it is being played Down Under, the Aussies are 8/15 favourites, which reflects the talent they have at their disposal as well as home advantage.
However, a lot can change in such a lengthy period and Crawley is sure to have ambitions of establishing himself in the top order for the series. If he is to do that though, he will need to prove he can deliver at a high level in the meantime in upcoming tests and domestically, finding the consistency that those making the big decisions will want to see.
Overall, though, there are a lot of reasons for optimism when it comes to England and Zak Crawley. His double century proved that he has excellent technique but more importantly, it showed that he has the mentality and concentration to thrive when the pressure builds playing for his country.A Zak Crawley batting masterclass on 5 Live Sports Extra NOW.
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) September 14, 2020
He’s just reached a 💯 from 48 balls.https://t.co/dEfjmpUgri#bbccricket #T20Blast pic.twitter.com/ZJb63IB4QU
So, whether it’s the Ashes series in over 12 months’ time or he has to wait another few years to become a mainstay in the team, it does seem inevitable that the youngster is destined for great things with England.
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