Former England captain Michael Vaughan has proposed a bold solution if Zak Crawley struggles as a Test opener for England in the upcoming Ashes series against Australia. Vaughan believes that England skipper Ben Stokes should step up and open the batting if Crawley fails to perform.
Crawley, 25, had a remarkable Test innings of 267 against Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl in 2020 but has struggled to consistently deliver in Test cricket, averaging only 27.60 across 33 matches. Since Stokes took over as Test captain, Crawley's average has dropped to 25.86 in 12 matches.
"I think Zak Crawley needs a score and he should be given license to step back from the general batting free-for-all to be a bit selfish. He does not need the noise to be all about him going into Edgbaston for the first Ashes Test later next month. The only way to silence that is to score a hundred, so if it takes 170 balls, then do it," Vaughan wrote in his column for The Sunday Telegraph.
Vaughan suggests that Crawley should focus on his own performance and be willing to adapt his approach to be more conservative if needed. While England is expected to win the Test match against Ireland, Vaughan believes Crawley must prove himself and relieve the pressure surrounding his place in the team.
However, if Crawley continues to struggle, Vaughan contends that there may be merit in considering Ben Stokes as an opener. Although the idea may have initially been seen as a joke, Vaughan believes that if Crawley fails, England might seriously consider deploying Stokes in that role.
Crawley will have an opportunity to impress in the upcoming Test against Ireland, but Vaughan emphasizes that it's crucial for him to deliver and secure his spot in the team. The pressure on Crawley will only intensify during the Ashes series, making it vital for him to focus on his own game.
While England has expressed support for Crawley, Vaughan questions whether that support will remain unwavering if England faces a loss in the first Test at Edgbaston. Ultimately, Crawley's success will depend on his own performance, and Vaughan urges him to prioritize his own game above all else.
The Ashes series is set to begin on June 16, following England's one-off Test against Ireland on June 1.