(Reuters) – England opener Zak Crawley believes the tour of India has been a great lesson for young players on handling external pressures as they try to consolidate their test spots in difficult batting conditions.
The surface at Modi Ahmedabad’s Narendra Stadium – which is also the venue for the fourth test starting tomorrow – came under considerable scrutiny following the defeat of India’s 10 wickets by India within two days of the third test.
Former players and pundits have also questioned England’s approach to spin bowling but Crawley said staying away from the online chatter has allowed him to focus on the task ahead.
“It’s a great learning curve, not only the things on the field but the things off the field,” Crawley, who was one of England’s few bright sparks in the third test with his first half-century innings, told news conference on Tuesday.
“I’m fortunate that I don’t have social media but I’ve heard from a few of the lads who do that have had a lot to say about that game.
“That’s one of the biggest differences to county cricket, dealing with external pressures that people put on you and putting yourself on because you want to do well.”
The tourists have battled India’s spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel, who have claimed 33 wickets across the last two games, with England recording troubled totals of 134, 164, 112 and 81.
Although England’s hopes of making the World Championship final came to an end with the loss last week, Crawley said a victory in the final test to square the 2-2 series would still represent a successful trip to the visitors.
“There’s definitely a way back, we’ve already won one and we’re just one game down,” said the 23-year-old. “He’s going to need a good first inning for the inn and we need to bat really well.
“It’s an unbelievable winter if we can pull off four out of six Test matches (following a 2-0 win in Sri Lanka).”