'He nullified the drive and scored 241 in Sydney' - Michael Vaughan wants Zak Crawley to go Sachin Tendulkar way

Former English captain Michael Vaughan has slammed opener Zak Crawley for repeating the same mistakes lately and allowing the bowlers to identify his weaknesses. England opener was caught out on 9 off 17 on day two of the ongoing rescheduled fifth Test match against India at Edgbaston. Crawley’s numbers are dipping despite him having got consistent chances with the Three Lions. He scored just 87 runs in six innings against New Zealand, with questions rising about his regular position in the team.

The 24-year-old batter is a regular part of England’s red-ball team for almost three years. He came to highlight for his performances against Pakistan in 2020 where he scored 267 runs in Southampton. But he has struggled since the start of 2021 with just one century to his name. His shot selection against West Indies earlier this year, especially outside off stump, raised the question from the experts. Vaughan believes that opponent bowlers have found his weakness and advised the player to follow what Sachin Tendulkar did during India’s tour of Australia in 2004.

‘You have to recognise there is a problem’ – Michael Vaughan on Zak Crawley

Tendulkar struggled with his cover drive shots against Australia but restrained himself from playing the shot in the Sydney Test and went on to score an unbeaten 241 runs. Vaughan urged Crawley for the same or to try another new method with his shot selection.

“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. 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 wrote in his Telegraph Column.

Crawley has scored 1174 runs in 44 Test innings at an average of 26.68 and his county cricket average is around 30. He has played two ODI matches as well but is not a regular member of the white-ball team. Vaughan previously supported the youngster for a regular place in England’s team but now feels that the player needs to score consistently to remain in the squad.

“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,” he added.