England opener Zak Crawley has an unwanted record to his name in Test cricket after falling for another low score in the ongoing Test series against New Zealand. Crawley was dismissed for just 5 off 17 balls in the second innings of the third Test at Hamilton.
He was trapped in front of the stumps by Matt Henry in the dying moments of Day 3. Crawley reviewed the decision after the on-field umpire ruled it out. However, it turned out to be clipping the leg stump and Crawley had to walk back to the dressing room.
It was also Henry’s last ball of the day. After losing his wicket, Zak Crawley joined the likes of Greg Matthews and Matthew Hayden in an unwanted list of records. He became the third batter to feature in this list.
Zak Crawley joins Matthew Hayden for an unwanted record
With this wicket, Zak Crawley became the third batter in the history of Test cricket to be dismissed by a single bowler all six times in a three-match Test series. This was the sixth time he has been dismissed by Matt Henry in this series.
Getting out to a bowler all six times in a 3-Test series:
🔹Greg Matthews to Richard Hadlee in Aus 1985/86
🔹Matthew Hayden to Makhaya Ntini in SA 2006
🔹Zak Crawley to Matt Henry in NZ 2024 #NZvsENG pic.twitter.com/xCgaCEi2xI— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) December 16, 2024
Zak Crawley’s poor form continues
Crawley has been out to Matt Henry in all the six innings he has batted this Test series. The opener has looked clueless against Henry and has had a tough time against him. While it wasn’t a great record to his name, Henry would be happy to dismiss a dangerous batter like him early in the innings.
This also ended a forgettable series for Zak Crawley. The tall right-hander scored just 52 runs in three Tests at an average of 8.66 with the best of 21. Usually known to bat aggressively, he has been unable to score big in this series.
New Zealand look for a consolation win
Meanwhile, New Zealand made a spirited fightback in the final Test after being 0-2 down in the three-match series. England have thoroughly dominated New Zealand this series with both bat and ball but the hosts showed good composure to make a comeback.
New Zealand scored 347 in the first innings on the back of half-centuries from Tom Latham and Mitchell Santner, and crucial cameos from their batting order. In reply, England were bowled out for just 143 with none of the batter getting a significant score.
Joe Root top-scored for England with 32 while the top run-scorer of the series Harry Brook was dismissed for a golden duck. Matt Henry picked up a four-wicket haul while Will O’Rourke and Mitchell Santner picked up three wickets apiece.
New Zealand scored a mammoth 453 in the second innings to take the game way away from the visitors. Kane Williamson scored a brilliant 156 off 204 balls while Daryl Mitchell too scored a crucial half-century.