Last Updated on 2 months by Charbel Coorey
Zak Crawley’s disappointing series against India continued as the opener was dismissed for 22 in a crucial period of England’s second innings against India at Lord’s.
Crawley fought through a tricky period early, especially against Bumrah who had the ball lifting appreciably off the surface. However, as has often been the case in his career, Crawley gave it away with a loose drive outside offstump. Nitish Kumar Reddy got the ball to shape away, and Crawley couldn’t resist, edging to Yashasvi Jaiswal at gully.
The dismissal drew widespread reactions from England fans. Many believe the selectors should move on from Crawley, who now averages under 31 (30.89) in 57 Tests. Better returns are expected in an era where England often play on good batting pitches.
Speaking during the lunch break, Stuart Broad expressed his disappointment at the repetitive nature of Crawley’s dismissals. “He did this at Edgbaston. Sort of a wide, full swingy thing that he’s not quite committed to properly. He should really be whacking that over extra cover if you’re going to really commit to it,” Broad said on the Sky Sports coverage.
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Fans call for England to replace Zak Crawley
Two Tests remain in the India series. England’s next Test assignment will be the Ashes down under in November. Ultimately, the thinktank need to decide whether Crawley will be their man for these big games.
England fans, however, believe this is the end of the road. “That was a brave, lucky and then reckless innings from Zak Crawley. He took blows and gritted his teeth but as soon as he saw a less threatening bowler he gives it all away. Time to move on!,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter).
“Zak Crawley thanks for crunching Pat Cummins through the covers first ball of the 2023 Ashes, but it’s time to go,” wrote another.
Here are some of the reactions to Zak Crawley’s dismissal on day four of the Lord’s Test.
England were reduced to 98/4, leading by as many, by lunch on day four. A lot rests on Joe Root (17*), the out-of-form Ben Stokes and the red-hot Jamie Smith. On a pitch offering uneven bounce and much more movement compared to the first three days, a lead in the region of 200 can be a tricky chase for India.
