Manchester 24th August : Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith declared that England opener Zak Crawley appears to be an athlete with an absence of knowledge of the game he plays and the strengths and weaknesses.Crawley has been in an extended form slump at the top of the table, with the 24 year old opener putting up only 9 and 13 against Proteas in the first Test at Lord’s the Lord’s, that England lost by 12 runs and an innings within three days.
The right-handed batsman is yet to reach an entire century for his country in the summer of 10 innings with only 164 runs at an average of 16.40 in five Tests.
“I mean taking myself as an example, suppose I was asked”Okay, you’re not the most attractive batter in the world but what were your strengths? ?’.I was aware of my strengths and weaknesses.
If I had to face Jimmy (Anderson) I knew I would be batting using two legs (middle and leg) as the greatest threat for me was LBW.Therefore, I was in a plan of I’d take the man on.Broady (Stuart Broad)? Perhaps with the added bounce, I’d like to be able to command off the stumps a much more.
“And in my innings I realized that cover driving for instance it was something I didn’t intend to do in the beginning in my game.
I would be looking to cut, and I’d then look to pull.If I was in my channel I’d be looking to throw the ball towards you or to the my leg until I was in.However, when I watch Crawley play it doesn’t appear like he’s in the position of knowing the game he plays.He simply does it,” said Smith in the most recent episode of The Vaughany and Tuffers Cricket Club podcast.
Smith said the fact that Crawley’s problems in the ongoing home season could be due to England’s ultra-attacking style with the bat, under captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum.
“I believe that’s the risk in saying ‘We’re going to be aggressive We want to be able to play the game’.You don’t think about the ‘how’.Knowing your own strengths and weaknesses is vital.Particularly, top-of-the-line batters.”
“I refer to myself as a top-order batter , you’re likely to fail more often than you succeed.So coping with failure is a major aspect.Understanding your own strengths and weaknesses is crucial as well.When I see him, I don’t believe he is aware of this.”
England is 1-0 down in the series of three matches will be hoping Crawley returns to form in the second Test match against South Africa starts at Old Trafford in Manchester on Thursday.
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