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Zak Crawley scored 267 in his last innings against Pakistan[/caption]
It’s quite likely I’ll open batting: Zak Crawley
England’s Zak Crawley yesterday (6) said it is “quite likely” that he will open the batting during the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka. He said so joining a virtual media conference from his team hotel in Hambantota.
Crawley settled at No. 3 during the English summer and has already scored 267 in his last innings against Pakistan.
However, with opener Rory Burns staying in London for the birth of his first child, Crawley, alongside Dom Sibley, is the only recognised opener in England’s 16-man squad.
“I haven’t been told yet, but I assume that might be the case,” Crawley said.
“It doesn’t change much for me. I see the top four as all pretty similar roles. I’m happy to bat in any of those positions, but I think it is quite likely I will open and I’m looking forward to that,” he added.
Gradually advancing in order
Crawley made his Test debut in New Zealand last winter and batted at six, before deputising for the injured Burns at the top of the order in the final three Tests of England’s series win in South Africa.
He batted at four in the opening Test of the English summer before moving to No. 3, which the 22-year-old says would be his position of choice.
On the Lankan team
Talking about the Sri Lanka team, Crawley said they are a “top side” and England will have to do “very well” to contain them in the forthcoming Tests.
“Otherwise, they will be all over us in these conditions,” he added. Sri Lanka are coming to the series against England with at least a half a dozen of their squad members injured.
They suffered a 2-0 drubbing, mainly due to those injuries, in the two-match Test series that ended in South Africa on Tuesday (5). Most notably, both the Tests in South Africa ended under three days.
Ali testing positive is frustrating
England’s preparation for the series has been hampered with all-rounder Moeen Ali testing positive for coronavirus and bowler Chris Woakes having to isolate as a close contact. But Crawley said yesterday that both are “doing well”.
“It is obviously massively frustrating for them,” said Crawley. “Mo (Ali) didn’t know he had it until he tested positive, so I feel for him, but I’m sure they’ll be good when they come out of the other side.”
England’s touring party in Sri Lanka yesterday (6) passed a new round of coronavirus tests, having been retested after all-rounder Moeen Ali’s unexpected positive result on Monday (4).
All of the players and staff had a lateral flow test and PCR at the England team hotel, Shangri-La Hambantota, yesterday. England, therefore, started what is now called “restricted training” yesterday and the England tour party will undergo a third test today (7).
Sri Lanka not quarantined upon return
Meanwhile, BBC said that Sri Lanka, who lost their two-match Test series against South Africa on Tuesday (5), will not face a 10-day quarantine period upon their return to the country.
Sri Lanka is expected to be back on a chartered flight. As they are transferring from one biosecure bubble to another, a quarantine period has been deemed unnecessary, BBC said.
Yet, they are expected to have PCR tests before being cleared to play in the two-Test series against England in Galle from next Thursday, 14 January.
Moeen Ali’s condition
England’s key player Moeen Ali tested positive on arrival in Sri Lanka and is now being isolated for 10 days at the team hotel.
“The original accommodation he was due to go to in Galle had building work on-site and the alternative option was not up to standard as per the protocols. He returned on Tuesday evening and is now staying in a separate wing away from the England team,” reported BBC.
Fellow all-rounder Chris Woakes was deemed as a possible close contact, having shared a car to the airport with Moeen Ali in the UK. He tested negative but will continue to isolate in his room.
Zak Crawley scored 267 in his last innings against Pakistan[/caption]
It’s quite likely I’ll open batting: Zak Crawley
England’s Zak Crawley yesterday (6) said it is “quite likely” that he will open the batting during the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka. He said so joining a virtual media conference from his team hotel in Hambantota.
Crawley settled at No. 3 during the English summer and has already scored 267 in his last innings against Pakistan.
However, with opener Rory Burns staying in London for the birth of his first child, Crawley, alongside Dom Sibley, is the only recognised opener in England’s 16-man squad.
“I haven’t been told yet, but I assume that might be the case,” Crawley said.
“It doesn’t change much for me. I see the top four as all pretty similar roles. I’m happy to bat in any of those positions, but I think it is quite likely I will open and I’m looking forward to that,” he added.
Gradually advancing in order
Crawley made his Test debut in New Zealand last winter and batted at six, before deputising for the injured Burns at the top of the order in the final three Tests of England’s series win in South Africa.
He batted at four in the opening Test of the English summer before moving to No. 3, which the 22-year-old says would be his position of choice.
On the Lankan team
Talking about the Sri Lanka team, Crawley said they are a “top side” and England will have to do “very well” to contain them in the forthcoming Tests.
“Otherwise, they will be all over us in these conditions,” he added. Sri Lanka are coming to the series against England with at least a half a dozen of their squad members injured.
They suffered a 2-0 drubbing, mainly due to those injuries, in the two-match Test series that ended in South Africa on Tuesday (5). Most notably, both the Tests in South Africa ended under three days.
Ali testing positive is frustrating
England’s preparation for the series has been hampered with all-rounder Moeen Ali testing positive for coronavirus and bowler Chris Woakes having to isolate as a close contact. But Crawley said yesterday that both are “doing well”.
“It is obviously massively frustrating for them,” said Crawley. “Mo (Ali) didn’t know he had it until he tested positive, so I feel for him, but I’m sure they’ll be good when they come out of the other side.”
England’s touring party in Sri Lanka yesterday (6) passed a new round of coronavirus tests, having been retested after all-rounder Moeen Ali’s unexpected positive result on Monday (4).
All of the players and staff had a lateral flow test and PCR at the England team hotel, Shangri-La Hambantota, yesterday. England, therefore, started what is now called “restricted training” yesterday and the England tour party will undergo a third test today (7).
Sri Lanka not quarantined upon return
Meanwhile, BBC said that Sri Lanka, who lost their two-match Test series against South Africa on Tuesday (5), will not face a 10-day quarantine period upon their return to the country.
Sri Lanka is expected to be back on a chartered flight. As they are transferring from one biosecure bubble to another, a quarantine period has been deemed unnecessary, BBC said.
Yet, they are expected to have PCR tests before being cleared to play in the two-Test series against England in Galle from next Thursday, 14 January.
Moeen Ali’s condition
England’s key player Moeen Ali tested positive on arrival in Sri Lanka and is now being isolated for 10 days at the team hotel.
“The original accommodation he was due to go to in Galle had building work on-site and the alternative option was not up to standard as per the protocols. He returned on Tuesday evening and is now staying in a separate wing away from the England team,” reported BBC.
Fellow all-rounder Chris Woakes was deemed as a possible close contact, having shared a car to the airport with Moeen Ali in the UK. He tested negative but will continue to isolate in his room.