Mark Butcher Questions Continued Test Selection of Crawley, Bashir
The ongoing selection conundrum in the England cricket team has sparked a heated debate, with former England batter Mark Butcher questioning the continued inclusion of Zak Crawley and Shoaib Bashir in the Test side. Butcher, a veteran of 71 Test matches, believes that Crawley’s persistence in the team is a “blind spot unlike any other” he has seen, while Bashir’s selection is based on “blind faith”.
The comments come after Crawley and Bashir were selected for the upcoming Test series against Zimbabwe, despite their underwhelming returns at the highest level. Crawley has averaged just 24.57 in his 14 Test matches, with a highest score of 68. Bashir, on the other hand, has taken just 13 wickets in his five Test matches, with an economy rate of over 4.50.
Butcher, who represented England between 1997 and 2009, believes that the team’s selectors are placing too much emphasis on potential rather than current form. “I think there’s a blind spot in the selection process, and that’s Zak Crawley,” Butcher told Wisden. “I think he’s a talented player, but I think he’s been given an awful lot of slack. I think he’s been given an awful lot of rope, and I think he’s been given an awful lot of chances, and I think it’s time to start looking at other options.”
The former England batter also expressed surprise that Bashir was selected for the Zimbabwe Test series, despite his limited success at the highest level. “I think there’s a lot of blind faith being shown in Shoaib Bashir,” Butcher said. “I think there’s a lot of hope that he’s going to come good, but I think he’s been given an awful lot of chances already. I think it’s time to start looking at other spinners who are maybe more consistent and more reliable.”
Butcher’s comments are likely to spark a debate among cricket fans and pundits, with some arguing that Crawley and Bashir are young players who need time to develop and mature. Others may argue that the team’s selectors are being too patient and that it’s time to bring in fresh talent and new ideas.
However, Butcher’s concerns are not without merit. England’s Test team has struggled for consistency and depth in recent years, with the team’s top six averaging just 30.45 in the ongoing series against the West Indies. The team’s bowling attack has also been prone to inconsistency, with the pace trio of Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, and James Anderson struggling to make an impact.
In contrast, Crawley and Bashir have shown flashes of brilliance, but have struggled to maintain a consistent level of performance. Crawley’s highest score in Test cricket is 68, while Bashir’s best bowling figures are 3-55. While they may have the potential to become top-class players, their current form and returns at the highest level are a concern.
Butcher’s comments are also a reminder that cricket is a results-driven sport, and that players need to perform consistently at the highest level to justify their selection. While Crawier and Bashir are young players with promise, they need to start delivering results on the field to justify their inclusion in the team.
In conclusion, Mark Butcher’s comments are a timely reminder that the England Test team needs to start making tough decisions and selecting players who are performing consistently at the highest level. While Crawley and Bashir may have potential, their current form and returns at the highest level are a concern, and it’s time for the team’s selectors to start looking at other options.
