ENG VS IND: Zak Crawley Can Take Inspiration From Sachin Tendulkar's 241 Against Australia: Michael Vaughan

Updated - 03 Jul 2022, 07:48 PM

Michael Vaughan (Image Credits: Twitter)
Michael Vaughan (Image Credits: Twitter)

Michael Vaughan, a former cricketer, urged Zak Crawley to emulate Sachin Tendulkar’s legendary 241-run performance against Australia at the SCG in 2004. The Master Blaster stopped playing through the off-side at that time after getting out repeatedly while defending against balls that were outside the off-stump.

On Day 2 of the ongoing fifth Test between England and India at Edgbaston in Birmingham, Crawley only managed to score nine runs off 17 balls. Crawley provided the slip cordon with a straightforward catch after Jasprit Bumrah tricked him into making a fake stroke.

Zak Crawley
Image Source: Twitter

Zak Crawley Has Been In Horrible Form For England

Former cricketer Michael Vaughan has asked Zak Crawley to take a cue from Sachin Tendulkar’s historic 241-run knock against Australia at the SCG back in 2004. Back then, the Master Blaster refrained from playing through the off-side after he got out quite a few times fending at balls outside the off-stump.

“Sachin Tendulkar had a tough tour to Australia in 2004 when the ball was nipping around and he was getting out playing the drive. What did he do? He nullified the drive and scored 241 in Sydney. Crawley has not tried that yet. He has not tried to put away the drive for two hours while the ball is new.

Zak Crawley of England (Sky Sports)
Zak Crawley of England (Sky Sports)

“Ultimately, he has not hit the opposition with another method. If you keep doing the same things, you will be found out repeatedly because bowlers are not stupid,” Vaughan was quoted as saying in The Telegraph.

Crawley has scored 602 runs from 17 games at an average of 18.24, including one century against the West Indies since he struck a double century against Pakistan in 2020. The right-hander has scored 150 runs in England, averaging 11.53 runs per game.

Crawley needs to pull up his socks as soon as possible, according to Vaughan, if he wants to keep his place in the Three Lions’ national setup.

“The problems come when someone struggling like Zak Crawley is backed too much. Eventually, you have to recognize there is a problem. Since his 267 against Pakistan in 2020, Crawley has averaged 11 in English conditions without one fifty.

“Averaging 11 in international cricket does not warrant a place in the team. Your currency is runs. Not that you are a great lad or a good team man,” Vaughan added.

Also Read: ENG vs IND: It Is Extremely Unfortunate That Umesh Yadav Is Made To Sit Out Most Of The Time – Bharat Arun

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Michael Vaughan Zak Crawley