Ashes 2021-22: I Liked What I Saw - Ricky Ponting Sees Potential in Zak Crawley

Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has stated that England’s opener, Zak Crawley, showed intent and a stomach for a fight in the fourth innings of the SCG Test against Australia.

Crawley played a brisk 77-run knock that kept the English afloat on Day 5. Even though his partner at the other end, Haseeb Hameed, was struggling to score runs, Crawley played fluent shots and dented the pace attack of the Aussies.

“One innings like that for a struggling English team that are devoid of what looks to be a lot of batting talent, he probably locks himself in for another couple of years of Test cricket on the back of one innings. He showed the mettle, he showed the fight, he showed the intent.“

“He was happy to try and put a bit of pressure back on Cummins and Starc. If they overpitched, he whacked it down on the ground and if they were a fraction short, he was good enough to pull them through midwicket. I liked what I saw and, more importantly, I liked the attitude,” Ponting said to cricket.com.au.

“As long as you know your limitations, he will be okay” – Ricky Ponting

Ever since his 267-run knock against Pakistan, Crawley has gone downhill. He averages in the low 10s in his last few innings but the knock against Australia will give him confidence. If he can iron out a few flaws in his batting, he can be Test match material for England.

“He’ll have some technical things he’s got to work through. The fact that he made 267 in one Test against Pakistan and then it’s taken him another 18 innings to get his next 267 runs in Test cricket says that he’s had struggles.“

“As long as you know what your limitations are and know what you can and can’t do, he will be OK. If that’s the way that he’s going to bat then he’s just got to understand that the off-drive is going to be a really hard shot for him to play,” Ponting added.

England managed to draw the fourth Test and register four points in the WTC 2021-23 points table. The final Ashes Test will be played in Hobart.

Also Read – Ashes 2021-22: Pat Cummins Is Going To Learn A Lot Today – Shane Warne After England Eke Out A Draw In SCG Test