IND v ENG 2021: Zak Crawley feels red ball will make life "slightly easier" for batsmen in 4th Test

England were bowled out for 112 and 81 in the pink-ball Test.

England opener Zak Crawley on Tuesday (March 2) said that the visitors are expecting another turning track in the fourth Test against India in Ahmedabad. However, he believes red ball will make life "slightly easier" for the batsmen.

During the pink-ball Test, England were bowled out for 112 and 81 across the two innings and eventually copped a 10-wicket defeat. 28 of the 30 wickets to fall in the third Test were taken by spinners.

See Also: Ajinkya Rahane says fourth Test pitch will be a lot similar to last two matches

Before that, the tourists had suffered a humiliating 317-run defeat on a rank turner in the second Test at Chepauk.   

"Yeah, I think it will be a very similar pitch this week. It wasn't easy to score for sure, but it was the same for both sides, and they played very well compared to us. So, we had our chance to bat first and did well and unfortunately, we didn't play well as we needed to," Crawley said at a virtual press conference ahead of the fourth Test.

Asked whether batting will be easier in the final Test as it will be a red ball game again, he replied: "It depends on the pitch obviously, but I do think that it will be slightly easier. I felt that the pink ball was a bit harder (to play) and that ball skidded on quite quickly, which is why Akshar got so many wickets through leg before and bowled."

Crawley feels Akshar's arm ball will be a massive threat.

"I think he still has that ball in his armoury for sure and he'll still be a massive threat with that one (red ball). But I think it might not skid on with the same pace as the pink ball but it won't be completely different."

Crawley was the only half centurion for England in the Day-Night Test.

"Yeah, it's nice to score some runs. I probably had the best (chance) to face seamers early, but still nice to score some runs, nonetheless," he said.

India’s victory in the third Test also ensured that England get knocked out of the World Test Championship. Now, only India and Australia are contenders to book a place in the final.

The Virat Kohli-led side will have to avoid a loss in the last Test to secure a place in the WTC final against New Zealand.

“It is a massive game. Obviously, a big game for them (India), they want to be in the World (Test) Championship final, so it is still lots to play for, whether it is the Test championship or not, you want to win every Test match playing,” he concluded.

(With PTI inputs)