Former England captain Nasser Hussain thinks the future Test series against New Zealand will be crucial for Zak Crawley. With a few other performers knocking on the doors for selection, Hussain believes the young opener must make the most of his possibilities.
Crawley, who made his Test debut in 2019, has obtained plenty of backing from the commutator. The right-handed batter’s breakthrough knock came against Pakistan when he secured 267 in Southampton in 2020. He had an unremarkable 2021 but did properly in Australia and the West Indies, although he desires to build consistency.
"It's a safe squad isn't it" 🤔
Nasser Hussain shares his thoughts on England's squad for the first Test against New Zealand 💭 pic.twitter.com/iEhoMoBydV
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) May 31, 2022
Conversation on Sky Sports, Hussain stated that the similar of Sam Robson, Tom Haines, and Ben Compton have been piling up runs in county cricket. Hence, the 54-year-old thinks Crawley and Alex Lees must strengthen against the Kiwis.
“I think it’s a massive two games for Zak Crawley because Compton got another hundred yesterday against the touring side New Zealand. He’s getting runs for fun. Sam Robson, I think, has come back and done very well in the last couple of years. The lad Tom Haines down at Sussex. Rob Key has spoken about him. So, there are two or three opening batters out there pushing for selection. So, it’s a big couple of games ahead for those two openers.”
Hussain lavished acclaim on Yorkshire batter Harry Brook and Durham paceman Matthew Potts for their players in County cricket, advancing:
“They’ve gone with two form horses – one with the bat in Harry Brook. He just can’t stop scoring runs in any format. You put on your TV and he makes 50-60 not out and he’s just phenomenal. He’s got big runs in the Championship and Potts has got 35 first-class wickets, again in front of the England captain. That doesn’t you any harm, especially with the long list of injuries in the bowling department.”
Brook and Potts are the only two open performers in England’s 13-man for the first 2 Tests against New Zealand. Brook has made 840 runs in 6-matches at 140 in County Championship division one, while Potts has taken 35 heads in 6 matches at 18.57 in division 2.
“There is sudden excitement in English cricket, and everyone has different” – Nasser Hussain.
The 96-Test veteran stated that England had a tricky task ahead of them while selecting the squad, considering the old and the new era players. Hussain believes Lees deserved a chance after three Tests against the West Indies and played well for Durham.
“It’s a safe squad, isn’t it? It’s difficult when a new era comes in because they have to be a little bit loyal to the previous era and their players. There is sudden turmoil in English cricket, and everyone has changed. Alex Lees has played only three Test matches, so you’ve got to give him another go, especially coming back; he has scored loads of runs in front of the England captain Ben Stokes at Durham. He’s played well.”
Our 13-strong squad to take on New Zealand 🏏
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