Zak Crawley is the toast of English cricket after a headline making 267 in England’s first innings. There is no doubt, Zak has exhausted all the superlatives after his double-century in the final Test vs. Pakistan.
At the close on Day 1, Zak had 171 runs in his account and was instrumental in giving England the upper-hand.
On Day 2, he continued to score with poise and style. Zak was the beating heart of the England innings and together with Jos Buttler, took the Third Test beyond Pakistan’s grasp.
In his first seven Test matches, Zak as hinted that he will be a Test batter of substance. In his eighth Test, he delivered and the dogs on the heath are now barking their complements.
It should not be forgotten that Zak, made his first-class debut in August 2017 and has played just 35 red-ball matches for Kent.
The numbers generated by Zak’s innings tell their own story and justify the praise he has received.
Zak’s 267 (34 fours, 1 six) was the tenth highest individual innings by an England player and he is the third youngest to score a double century for the national team.
During the 393 balls of his innings Zak passed 500 Test and 2500 first-class runs.
Together with Jos Buttler, Zak shared the highest fifth wicket partnership (359 runs) for England. And, this partnership was the keystone in a first innings total of 583-8 dec.
After the end of play Zak told the BBC “scoring a double hundred for England was beyond my dreams. It’s a very good day.”
(PhoenixMedia Images Created from a Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)