Michael Vaughan expressed his frustration at England’s over-aggressive approach after Zak Crawley’s dismissal on day two of the second Test at Lord’s, saying the the side “don’t realise when they’re on top”.
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Crawley was stumped by Alex Carey off Nathan Lyon for 48 in the afternoon session. He came down the wicket to a delivery which turned sharply and beat him behind his legs. Carey did well to take the ball down the leg-side and remove the bails, with Crawley trying in vain to slide his bat back into his crease.
The dismissal left England 91-1 after they had made a good start in clawing their way up to Australia’s total of 416. Having opted to bowl on day one, England had struggled in the field before wrapping up Australia’s five remaining wickets well before lunch this morning (June 29).
Speaking on BBC Test Match Special, Michael Vaughan was less than impressed with Crawley’s mode of dismissal, given the position England had manoeuvred themselves into on day two.
“Zak Crawley has just done what Zak Crawley does,” said Vaughan. “Plays nicely, plays beautifully, you think come on it’s your day, he gets to 48 and then he just gifts an easy wicket. Exactly what we’ve just been saying, that’s the problem with this England side, they don’t realise when they’re on top they carry on with this method.
“There’s no need for that dismissal. You get a beauty on a pitch like this, you doff your cap and you say well bowled but there’s not going to be many beauties on this surface at the minute. Just play sensibly. That’s a gift.”
Crawley’s wicket comes after three England batters were dismissed stumped off Lyon in the first Test at Edgbaston. Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali fell to the same method in the first innings, while Joe Root ran past a Lyon delivery on 46 in the second. The Root wicket in particular drew criticism from commentators, given it marked a point in the game where England’s grip on it began to loosen.
Crawley scored 61 and seven in the first Test, and made a 56 and 12* against Ireland in England’s first Test of the summer. His dismissal to Lyon was the second time he has been stumped in a Test match.
”That’s the problem with this England side, they don’t realise when they’re on top”.
Michael Vaughan was not impressed with Zak Crawley’s dismissal. #BBCCricket #Ashes pic.twitter.com/sTceVhgRfj
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) June 29, 2023
