New Zealand vs England: Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley under threat after troubling New Zealand tour, says Nasser Hussain

cricket Tuesday 17 December 2024 15:49, UK

Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley's position is under threat after the England pair have had a troubling time in the Test fold, exacerbated by New Zealand's crushing win in the series finale in Hamilton, says Sky Sports' Nasser Hussain.

Vice-captain Pope hit two half-centuries in the 2-1 series win but was dismissed attempting to play a reverse-ramp when England were four down. Pope also kept wicket but with Jamie Smith all but certain to return to the Test fold, his place now looks tentative.

Crawley's tour, however, was more concerning. His top score was 21 and he was dismissed six times by Matt Henry, four of which were in single figures, and with youngster Jacob Bethell starring with bat and ball, Crawley too is at risk of losing his spot.

"There is an issue in that Jamie Smith must come back in and I think he must come back in with the gloves," Hussain told Sky Sports News.

"He's been brilliant in his introduction to Test cricket, which obviously leaves two cricketers vulnerable: Pope and Crawley.

"It doesn't leave Bethell vulnerable for me. The way he has played, it's not a debate of whether he should play. He's got three 50s in three Tests and he's batting at three, often coming early because of Crawley and [Ben] Duckett - mainly Crawley's lack of form.

"England will have some decisions to make. One of those decisions, Bethell must play and is an option at the top of the order. Definitely - he is the future.

"I hear Bethell and [Joe] Root get on very well off the field. Can you think of a better player to learn from as you're starting your career than Root?"

Harry Brook's tour started magnificently, notching 171 in Christchurch, and 123 and 55 in Wellington, but much like his team-mates he struggled in the final Test, being dismissed for a golden duck and one.

"I doubt if Harry Brook is still the No 1 batter in the world after this Test but along with Root, they are right at the top," added Hussain.

"I don't know when the last time England had No 1 and No 2 in the world. That's probably changed overnight but their form has been phenomenal."

Sky Sports' Michael Atherton has said he is sympathetic towards Crawley after his average fell to 30.5 following a troubling tour.

"It's a hard place to be. I don't think in all sport there's a tougher place to be when a new-ball bowler has got an opening batter's number - any sport, even darts," said Atherton on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast.

"I obviously have sympathy but that's the game. It's a tough game and Matt Henry's got him six times in six innings for 52 runs.

"He's hardly got any runs off Henry and just couldn't fathom him at all, but he looked quite comfortable against Tim Southee.

"When he walked off [on day three] he was shaking his head, muttering to himself and he just looked at the end of his tether.

"We've always said that a five-match Test series is the toughest thing, and if that was the case I don't think you could have played him in the next game.

When England were dismissed for 143 in their first innings, assistant coach Paul Collingwood backed the out-of-form opener.

"With Zak, we're not asking him to be consistent, it's about match-winning moments," Collingwood said.

"We know with Zak that once he gets in, he can hurt teams. I'm telling you, he's ready to hurt someone."

England's Test tour of New Zealand

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