Michael Atherton says England havenothing to lose by choosing Zak Crawley for his introduction if Jos Buttler is ruled out of the second Test against New Zealand through injury.
Buttler is no doubt for the match at Seddon Park, which after picking up a back injury in the gym England must win to level the series after dropping at Mount Maunganui.
Even though Sky Sports Cricket pundit Atherton suspects England may opt to bring in experienced all-rounder Chris Woakes should Buttler fail a fitness test ahead of the match, the England captain claims that he would not be against committing Crawley a move.
England have got two options, reflected Atherton. They could do a straight batsman in – and the sole spare batsman in the group is Zak Crawley. That might be his debut.
Hes a 21-year-old opener from Kent; so that could mean him batting from position at likely either five or six. Somewhere down there.
Or they could bring in an excess all-rounder – someone like Chris Woakes. Its all somewhat requirements dependant; it depends on upon what the pitch is really like.
I believe they were already considering Woakes anyway, possibly even to get a spinner, since they feel finger spin is a bit inefficient on the flat pitches .
They are seeking to stiffen that bowling strike; they went for over 600 at the first Test and Archer went via 42 overs, therefore a heavy, heavy workload .
Woakes would provide expertise. Hes a bowler who can bowl long spells; hes got great stamina.
If theres more in the pitch in Seddon Park, more swing and more seam, he then definitely provides you that as well. I guess that.
I would really like to see Crawley myself. Id be in favour of providing the likes of [Matt] Parkinson, [Saqib] Mahmood and Crawley a go in this match as its a string and there are World Championship points at stake.
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The gloves had been just regained by buttler in Mount Maunganui, although he also scored 43 runs but managed a 22-ball duck out of Jonny Bairstow for the series opener.
Atherton stated his possible absence from the next Test – and also the character of his injury – raises concerns regarding his ability.
Its not ideal because he is one game into his new role as Englands specialist wicketkeeper so if he doesnt play Ollie Pope has to take the gloves, so itll be the next different wicketkeeper in three Tests.
Bairstow went home – he was here for a little while and played in the T20s and stayed on for a brief while to cover Joe Denly but has gone now – so its Ollie Pope wholl need to do it.
He has just done it five times in 30-odd first-class matches and I really dont think he has done it because February in a first-class game. Ive been watching him tour and hes been doing lots of Bruce French, who is the professional wicketkeeping coach .
But obviously it is not an ideal alternative for England. The issue for Buttler is that when it is just a bit spasm, these items – as I know to my cost – return and go unexpectedly and a wicketkeeper is down and up. He had been in the area for over 200 overs at Mount Maunganui and whether the pitch is flat here he might have another lengthy stint again.
View day one of the second Test between New Zealand and England out of 9.30pm, Thursday on Sky Sports Cricket.
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