Rob Key: Zak Crawley's emergence is the biggest positive for England but Test batting's a constant battle

Zak Crawley showed his enormous Test potential by scoring a brilliant 267 for England against Pakistan in the third Test
POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Rob Key26 August 2020

Rain got in the way towards the end, but that was an enjoyable Test summer - and we certainly got more cricket than we expected a few months ago.

England had a strong summer and made some progress. They are ticking a few more boxes and when you think how uncertain the batting line-up has been for so long, things are coming together.

Various players, like Jos Buttler and Dom Sibley, enhanced their reputations, while Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad reminded us what class acts they are.

Broad and Jimmy Anderson passed unforgettable milestones, too, which were special moments even with no crowds. I was stood at short leg when Jimmy took his first Test wicket 17 years ago - and he was clearly very good then.

What the special ingredient is that makes him England's greatest bowler is the quest for every sports psychologist, because extraordinary skill alone cannot carry you to 156 Tests and 600 wickets.

The biggest positive for England came in the final Test, with Zak Crawley's brilliant 267.

As I wrote last week, I rate him very highly and have watched him develop first-hand. But I don't think any of us thought he was that good. It was a spectacular innings against a very fine attack, with so many stages to it and such a variety of strokes.

He was just so clinical. His forward defence was in control and he knew when to leave the ball. When it was slightly too full, he drove on the up. If it was a fraction shorter, he defended under his eyes. That is skilful Test batting from a 22-year-old who could be around for a decade.

Zak and his England team-mates seemed to enjoy him reaching 222 and overtaking my score at Lord's in 2004 more than any of the more significant milestones. I've had to remind him that, although he is already a better batsman than I ever was, I'll continue to beat him at golf, which I only took up in my late thirties but he's been playing since he was a toddler.

On that note, the accepted wisdom is that players get a Test century and then everything is all right, they settle at the top level. We heard that a lot about Joe Denly, who didn't quite get to three figures in his spell in the side.

But I can tell you from experience that this notion is not true. My double-ton came when I was 25, but I played only six more Tests. That innings guaranteed nothing.

Even for the greats, it is not a linear thing. One ton does not automatically bring 20 more. You have periods of bad form and you face top attacks. The question is how quickly you can come out of the tricky periods and how heavily you can take advantage in the good times? Test batting is a constant battle.

Zak just has to continue doing what he is doing. He was left out earlier this summer and, even in a short period, came back a better player because he has such a strong work ethic. He wasn't in the national age-groups as a teenager, but his dad reminded him that there's no point in being the best 15-year-old in the country.

Zak's parents deserve a lot of credit, they have done everything they can to help their kids. He is a reflection of them; he gets his mental makeup from his Dad, who is the sharpest, toughest person I know. He is kind and well-mannered, which he gets from his Mum. Those are traits that will stand him in good stead.

If he keeps improving at this rate, England have a special prospect on their hands.

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