CRAWL SPACE
We need time to refine Bazball style says Zak
ZAK CRAWLEY insists England will not adopt a “negative” approach after their 4-1 series defeat in India – but acknowledged they must learn when to absorb pressure.
India inflicted the first series loss of the Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum era after they stormed back from going one down in Hyderabad to win the last four Tests in comprehensive fashion.
It sparked debate over England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ style following a string of batting collapses and head coach McCullum (inset) accepted they had to refine their style moving forward.
Batsman Crawley said: “We always talk about absorbing pressure and putting pressure back on.
“The last couple of years we’ve done the ‘putting pressure back on’ pretty well and we’ve spoken about maybe picking those moments to absorb at the right times as well. We can certainly refine that.
“That’s not to say we’re going to get more negative.
“We will still try to play the way we have and try to score quickly but yeah, picking those moments where they’re on top and we need to absorb. Or even the other way, where they’re on top and you feel like you need to put it back on. It is just getting it right.
“It is not big changes. We just need to make sure we stay positive and don’t let a tough result get in the way of what we’re done really well over the last couple of years.”
England’s strategy of moving the game forward quickly with higher run-rates and early declarations took the cricket world by storm as they won 10 of their first 11 Tests under Stokes and McCullum.
However, seven defeats have followed from the next 12 matches and the lack of a ruthless streak has proved costly at times.
“We We ge genuinely believed in ourselve selves and thought we could win the India series,” said w iCs Crawley, speaking at a sponsors event for Swiss watch b brand Rado, the England a and Wales Cricket Board’s offi official timing partner. “W “We gave ourselves a good chance h and we weren’t quite clinical enough like they were.
“Over five days, their skills are always going to come out. They are a phenomenal team. We gave it a good crack and there is a lot to learn from.”