“It takes the spin out of the plan”- Zak Crawley on England hitters’ approach to sweep and reverse sweep against Indian spinners.
Zak Crawley on England hitters’ approach to sweep and reverse sweep against Indian spinners
Opener Zak Crawley believes that the English hitters’ use of the sweep and reverse sweep against Indian spinners is a tactic to remove spin from the game.
Before the five-Test series in India, the visitors were labeled as great underdogs, but they astonished the Asian powers in the first game with a 28-run comeback triumph.
Despite not scoring many runs in either innings (20 and 31), Crawley was instrumental in getting England off to a flying start.
However, the English hitters’ use of sweeps frightened the Indian spinners in the third inning of the game.
Speaking at a news conference ahead of the second Test, Crawley explained how the option to sweep or reverse sweep is determined by the field conditions.
The 25-year-old also discussed how the current breed of English hitters instinctively embrace the Bazball approach of aggressive batting.
The Bazball effect has been visible in Crawley’s hitting recently. The right-hander scored at an 88.46 strike rate in eight Tests last year.
The Brendon McCullum-Ben Stokes partnership has led to England winning 14 of their past 19 Tests. Including a 3-0 series whitewash of Pakistan in 2022.
“They’re absolutely a top side in their own conditions” – Zak Crawley
Despite the absence of several important players from the forthcoming second Test. Zak Crawley feels India remains a strong force at home.
While Virat Kohli missed the first two Tests, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja were out for the second Test due to injury.
Bumrah led the way for Team India with six wickets in the first Test. But Ollie Pope’s incredible 196 and Tom Hartley’s seven-wicket haul in the second innings overshadowed the pacer’s efforts.
India will seek to even the five-match series when the second Test begins in Vizag on Friday, February 2.