Published: Aug 08, 2023, 06:04 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 08, 2023, 06:04 PM (IST)
OPENER Zak Crawley plans to enter the Indian Premier League auction next year in order to solidify his England’s white-ball squad qualifications after a wonderful Test summer.
England opener Zak Crawley topped the run-scoring charts for the home side and inspired England’s fightback in the series from the top of the order with a string of notable batting displays.
The right-hander was the highest runs-scorer for England in the recently concluded Ashes even against the new ball, and he was prolific particularly across his knocks in July, most notably his 189 (182) at Old Trafford.
Crawley is currently eyeing England’s white-ball tour of the West Indies in December following the ODI World Cup 2023 in India. “If they want me for that tour I’d absolutely love to go. We’ll have to see how the selection goes but the Caribbean is an awesome place to play. And I haven’t had the chance to go on a white-ball tour for England yet so any opportunity I get would be awesome,” Crawley told Telegraph Sport.
Crawley has just played three white-ball games for England and they were three ODIs against Pakistan in 2021 when he was part of the new squad chosen following a Covid-19 outbreak. He scored 97 runs at an average of 48.5 batting at No. 3.
“I really enjoyed playing in those and I felt like I played nicely without getting a big score. So it’d be nice to have another crack at it,” said Crawley.
Alex Hales’ retirement from International cricket has made a possible new spot for an opener in T20Is. However, Phil Salt and Will Jacks are the current front runners for the spot.
“There’s obviously a few guys ahead of me at the moment, but if I score some runs then hopefully my name starts getting thrown in the hat. Only runs will solve that,” said Crawley.
Crawley believes impressive outings in the foreign franchise leagues will help him make his case stronger.
“I went to the Big Bash last year and loved it so if they would want me back then that would certainly be something I’d consider,” Crawley said, while confirming his IPL aspirations.
“If I was good enough one day to play in the IPL and someone wanted me then I’d absolutely love to go.”
“It’s the biggest franchise tournament in the world. And so it’s the only place to see all the best playing against each other. So it’s great cricket and to be able to test yourself in that tournament would be awesome,” he added.
