Crawley won’t rein in the aggression

ZAK CRAWLEY insisted he would do the same again, despite the dismissal that opened the door for Jasprit Bumrah to barge through and put India into a strong position at the end of the second day of the second Test.

Crawley, on his 26th birthday, continued the rich form that made him England’s highest Ashes runscorer last year when he raced to 76 off 78 balls as England replied to India’s 396.

But just when it seemed England, rattling along at more than five runs an over, would Bazball their way towards another strong position, Crawley aimed a second expansive stroke in Axar Patel’s first over and edged to cover.

Soon after, Bumrah, expensive at the start of England’s innings, returned with a devastating spell of reverse swing that saw him take six for 45, his best figures in a home Test, as England were dismissed for 253 and a deficit of 143. India added 28 to their lead without loss by the close and look well-placed to level the series.

‘If I started doubting myself in those situations and did not back my instincts then I would revert back to the player I was a couple of years ago,’ said Crawley.

‘I really wasn’t scoring many runs then for my team, But I’m happy I’m much more aggressive now and that has helped with my consistency.

‘I wasn’t happy to get out but I’d definitely do the same thing again. If that one doesn’t turn and

I hit him over his head for six then suddenly, he’s under a lot of pressure and I can milk him. There’s risk and reward there.’

Crawley (below) paid tribute to Bumrah when he added: ‘You have to hold your hand up sometimes and say that’s a fantastic spell in these conditions.

‘We didn’t do anything differently to what we’ve done in the last two years.’

Bumrah, playing in only his sixth home Test, talked of the importance of reverse swing after he put India into a potentially matchwinning situation.

‘If you want to take wickets as a fast bowler in India you have got to learn to use reverse swing because the new ball doesn’t always do much for you,’ he said. ‘It is something I have practised a lot.’

Meanwhile, England’s Under-19 World Cup match against Zimbabwe was mired in controversy after Hamza Shaikh was given out obstructing the field. Shaikh, 17, chopped a delivery from spinner Ryan Simbi onto his right boot.

He then picked up the ball and lobbed it to wicketkeeper Ryan Kamwemba, leading Zimbabwe players to successfully appeal on the grounds that the act took place without the fielding side’s permission.

The dismissal left England 78 for three, on their way to 237 for seven.