Former England batsman and coach Mark Ramprakash has sharply criticized Zak Crawley for perceived time-wasting tactics during the recent Test match against India at Lord’s, labeling his actions as going “too far.”
Tension Builds at Lord’s
The incident unfolded late on the third day of the Test, as England’s openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, faced a determined Indian side. With the clock ticking down, tensions escalated on the field.
During Jasprit Bumrah’s only over of the evening, Crawley notably pulled away as the bowler was mid-run-up. Shortly after, he sought medical attention following a delivery that hit his gloves.
These actions drew a strong reaction from the Indian players, who mockingly applauded. The situation intensified when India captain Shubman Gill confronted Crawley, leading to a heated exchange between the two players.
Ramprakash’s Frank Assessment
Writing in The Guardian, Mark Ramprakash acknowledged that batsmen sometimes employ tactics to run down the clock. However, he deemed Crawley’s behavior as “particularly poor.”
Ramprakash also directed criticism towards the umpires and match referee. He felt they did little to improve the slow over-rates throughout the game, which eventually led to England being fined.
He cited an instance where England bowled for an hour and were four overs behind the rate, yet enjoyed a “leisurely drinks break” with no urgency from players or intervention from officials.
Crossing the Line
While some might argue Crawley was simply being professional, Ramprakash believes he overstepped. He emphasized that such actions can provoke the opposition and lead to a breakdown in discipline on the field.
According to Ramprakash, Crawley’s conduct directly led to the fiery exchange with Shubman Gill.
Shubman Gill’s Unexpected Fire
Ramprakash noted Shubman Gill’s unexpectedly animated response, remarking that he hadn’t known the India captain possessed such intensity. Crucially, Gill’s teammates rallied behind him.
This show of unity highlighted the Indian team’s strong cohesion. Ramprakash observed that such moments reveal the true togetherness of a team.
- Zak Crawley’s time-wasting during the Lord’s Test was criticized by Mark Ramprakash as “too far.”
- The incident involved Crawley pulling out of a delivery and seeking medical attention, leading to a confrontation with Shubman Gill.
- Ramprakash also faulted umpires for their inaction on slow over-rates throughout the match.
- Shubman Gill’s animated response showed unexpected leadership and strong team unity.
The episode sparked considerable debate on sportsmanship and the role of officials in maintaining the flow and spirit of the game.
