Ricky Ponting has predicted a bright future for England’s opener Zak Crawley after an impressive knock in the second innings of the Sydney Test. The former Aussie captain praised Zak Crawley’s attitude and his intent to put pressure on pacers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.
Zak Crawley, who replaced Rory Burns in the third Test, showed character in the second innings in the 4th Test at Sydney. The right-handed opening batter crafted a stroke-filled 77 as England pulled off a thrilling draw. The 23-year old also top-scored for the tourists in the fourth innings en route to his 77.
Ricky Ponting: Zak Crawley Showed The Mettle, Fight, And Intent
Ricky Ponting believes Zak Crawley’s positive inning has ensured his spot for some more time.
Observing how the youngster pounced on anything worth hitting a boundary, Ponting stated: “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.”
Ricky Ponting added: “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.”
The visitors clung on for a draw as Australia attempted to win their fourth Test on the trot in Sydney. Zak Crawley, who said he was confident of scoring a hundred before the Sydney Test, struck 13 boundaries in his innings. England avoided a 4-0 result in the fourth innings and dashed Australia’s hopes of a clean sweep.
England batted for 102 overs to save the 4th Test. England lost the first match by 9 wickets at the Gabba, the second game by 275 runs at Adelaide Oval, and the third game by an innings and 14 runs at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Ricky Ponting: Zak Crawley Has To Work On His Technical Difficulties To Cement His Place In England XI
However, the Tasmanian feels the Kent batter must restore consistency, given his returns have dropped since scoring 267 against Pakistan in 2020. He stressed that opener Zak Crawley must work on his technical difficulties to sustain his place in England XI.
Zak Crawley made a promising start to his career with a stellar 267 against Pakistan at Southampton. Although he averaged 52.73 amassing 580 runs in 7 Tests in 2020, his average dipped to a low in 2021, where he averaged a mere 10.81 managing only 173 runs in 8 Tests. He will want to silence his critics in 2022.
Ponting added: “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.”
Ricky Ponting added: “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.”
The fifth Test, a day-night affair, in Hobart starts on the 15th of January. England will have their task cut out in the final Test. With a 275-run win over England in the second Ashes Test in Adelaide, Australia had earlier extended their perfect record in day-night Tests, winning all nine they have played so far. Australia played six of those of nine at the Adelaide Oval, including two against England.