England batsman Zak Crawley while talking about the upcoming pink-ball Test against India, which will kick start on February 24, said that England is better adept at it than the Indians.
The four-match Test series is leveled at 1-1 and the remaining two Tests will be played at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Zak Crawley, who missed out from the first two Tests due to a wrist injury that he sustained on the eve of the first Test in Chennai, is expected to return to the England XI for the third Test match.
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Addressing the pink-ball Test, Zak Crawley feels that the fact he and his team-mates have learned their cricket in seam-friendly conditions, it will give England an edge over India in the third Test.
"I think it will play into our hands. We have grown up with those conditions trying to play the ball late in seaming conditions so you would say we would be more adept at it than the Indians,” Zak Crawley said during a virtual press conference.
Crawley said just like India cricketers who have mastered the art of playing against spin bowling because of their early exposure to the spinning conditions English players have also grown up playing in seamer-friendly conditions.
"That's probably why they are unbelievable players of spin, because they have grown up with it. That said, they have an unbelievable seam attack and incredible batsmen so it won't help us too much. They will be more than capable,” he said.
Crawley said that he’s recovered well from the injury and is doing batting plenty of batting in the nets and added that there are chances that he can be selected.
"I have improved quite a bit, doing plenty of batting in the nets, making sure I am as fit as possible for this Test and that there is a chance I can be selected," said Crawley.
Crawley further explained the nature of the ‘freak’ injury he suffered in Chennai and added that it was a real shame to miss first two Test matches.
"I was one of the first players to go out onto the field, with my spikes on, and basically my feet went out from underneath me. To protect my head, I stuck my hand out and it was one of those freak incidents where my arm took all the weight. It was a real shame to do that and miss some Test cricket,” he said.
Crawley, 23, added that he is glad that he has recovered and is looking ahead to the series.
“It was quite difficult now to dwell on it but it was important for me to look ahead. I was trying my hardest to be back for the second Test, that was what motivated me. Unfortunately, I didn't quite do that in time but I am glad to be on the mend now and it is looking positive," he concluded.
The third Test match will take place at the new Motera Stadium at Ahmedabad.
(India Today inputs)
