An earlier lbw dismissal for the fifth ball of England’s second innings was successfully overturned at height by Crawley after he grounded. Henry then pinned Crawley in front with his final delivery of the day. Referee Adrian Holdstock’s finger went up again and Crawley was once again called for DRS. This time the leg stump was clipped by a whisker at the umpire’s call.
Crawley’s return was perhaps the first time the pain he had endured over the past few weeks spilled onto the field. There were a few choice words for Holdstock and his meeting with match referee David Boon could end a disappointing tour for the opener.
His series ended with him giving up only 52 runs in 6 innings at an average of 8.66. England’s openers have never batted so much and averaged so few runs in a single series. The factor-in of 139 at 27.80 on the Pakistan tour was a winter that did not help Crawley’s career averages. It topped 33 after the first West Indies Test of the summer, and fell to 30.51 after strong performances in the 2023 Ashes (480 for 53.33) and the early 2024 away series to India (407 for 40).
England management have long shielded Crawley from criticism, citing their firm belief that he can produce another worldly innings against the best side in the world. His output against Australia last year vindicated their case, hitting the first ball of the series for four against Pat Cummins and one of three 50-plus scores as they were bowled out for a commanding 189 in the fourth Test.
This position remains, especially in India and Australia, which are scheduled for 2025. Assistant coach Marcus Trescothick reiterated his unwavering support for Crawley, while also empathizing with the former opening batsman’s struggles.
“It’s always hard when someone brings something up to you. You have to think it’s really hard and make a plan,” Trescothick said. “I went through a similar situation when playing against another opponent.
“If you get the opportunity he has now, go away and try to think about it before you face each other next time.
“I think an important part of this is to remember that we are very focused on him being our opening batsman for a good period of time to come. We have seen the damage he has taken and how he has responded to it.
“I don’t want to go into too much detail about what he’s like in the locker room, because that’s our private area… but he’s a strong character. It’s hard at times like this, it’s hard when someone puts you in trouble. It’s hard, but he’ll find a way. “And we’ll help him find a way to get back to that point.”
Trescothick also confirmed that Crawley’s poor form was not related to the fractured finger suffered in the third Test against the West Indies that ruled him out of the Sri Lanka series at the end of the summer. Nonetheless, he scored just 191 runs in the next 11 innings.
England do not play Test cricket again until May and it is believed the one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge will get Crawley out of his slump. He will return home from this tour and head to South Africa with Sunrisers Eastern Cape in SA20 starting on January 9. Free-spirited white-ball cricket might be just what he needs to break out of his funk.
Vithushan Ehantharajah is the Editor-in-Chief of ESPNcricinfo.
