Former England skipper Michael Vaughan didn’t mince words as he launched a scathing attack on opener Zak Crawley following England’s heavy defeat in the second Test against India at Edgbaston. In his column for The Daily Telegraph, Vaughan went as far as to call Crawley “the luckiest cricketer” he’s ever seen represent England.
“In my time watching, playing for and covering England, he is the player luckiest to have won as many caps as he has,” Vaughan wrote. “He has to count himself fortunate to have played 56 games, whilst scoring just five hundreds, and averaging 31.”
Vaughan expressed confusion at the changes Crawley made to his technique between the first and second Tests. He noted that Crawley stood more upright and better aligned in Leeds but inexplicably altered his stance in Birmingham, especially with Jasprit Bumrah absent from India’s attack.
“I would love to know why this week, with Bumrah not playing, he suddenly moved two inches outside off stump in his stance,” Vaughan said. “Instead, he got out in both innings driving with half a bat, with his left foot staying down the middle of the stumps.”
Mindset and Shot Selection Concerns
Vaughan further criticised Crawley’s mental approach, noting a fear of the straight delivery, which has led to poor decision-making and soft dismissals. “That is a mindset issue; he is so concerned about the straight ball, and being lbw or bowled, that he has got out chasing wide balls in his last three innings.”
Despite his harsh words, Vaughan acknowledged Crawley’s raw talent, saying: “Crawley is so exasperating because he has the game. He plays some glorious shots… But he has to score more runs at the top of the order.”
Apart from individual criticism, Vaughan also reflected on England’s overall showing in the second Test, where they lost by 336 runs. “If we are honest, England have been absolutely hammered this week … It was a performance that worried me greatly.”
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