Questioning persistent Test selections of Zak Crawley and Shoaib Bashir: Mark Butcher expresses doubts
England's dogged persistence with Zak Crawley has scratched a puzzling itch for former England batter, Mark Butcher. On the Cricket Weekly podcast, he bluntly declared it as "a blind spot unlike any other" he's ever witnessed.
Despite a disastrous New Zealand tour and a rocky start to the County Championship season, Crawley somehow managed to cling onto his place in England's squad for the one-off Test against Zimbabwe. His performance in the tour left a lot to be desired, averaging a pathetic 8.67, but contributions of two significant half-centuries to Kent's cause have kept his doubters guessing. Before England's squad was announced, his abysmal 2025 County Championship average of 29 wouldn't have fooled anyone.
Butcher: Logic Be Damned, Crawley's Picking Just Doesn't Make Sense
Fueled by skepticism, Butcher argued whether Crawley's lackluster show against Zimbabwe and India could, finally, signal the end of his tenure as an England opener. "After three or four summer Test matches, people should notice that his [Crawley] opening batting spot experiment has failed," he quipped.
"But that might not be the case. England has been here before, and I've seen this blind spot with Crawley unlike any other. I find myself smiling away at the thought that maybe we will finally have a definitive answer. But I fear the selection has defied logic, and normal rules might never apply again."
Should England's rivals, India and Australia, give Crawley a beating, Butcher hinted at an inevitable change. "The thing is, after the India and Australia Test series, if they have a terrible showing, everything might change," he said. "The leadership and the regime at the top won't survive if the Ashes campaign tanks. In that case, we might just be entering a whole new discussion."
Butcher on Bashir: Huge Amount of Blind Faith at Play
Shoaib Bashir, another England player, has enjoyed some backing despite a dismal season average north of 150 in the County Championship. Despite a promising start against India and West Indies, Bashir has seen his performance slump, and a poor Test average of over 40 followed.
"Bashir's performances have left a lot to be desired," admitted Butcher. "But the selectors won't seem to let go. Though Bashir faced tough competition, rising players like Jacob Bethell are yet to dislodge him. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. just needs to deliver consistent performances to stay in the game."
"It's unfortunate that England seems to lack alternatives for spin bowlers. Despite the evident struggle, selectors keep Bashir in contention, and time will tell if it's stupendous faith or irrational blindness," he concluded.
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Related tags:
- Misguided Faith in Crawley
- Blind Spot in England Selection
- England's Struggles with Spin Bowlers
- Shoaib Bashir Stumbling Performance
- The Case for Jacob Bethell
- Ashes Uncertainty looming
- Investment in Players vs Results Analysis.
England's consistent selection of Zak Crawley as an opening batter, despite his average performance, has left many questionning the team's logic. With a dismal 8.67 average in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe and an even lower 2025 County Championship average of 29, Crawley's spot in the team remains a mystery.
On the flip side, Shoaib Bashir, another England player, has managed to hold onto his place despite a poor showing in the County Championship. Bashir's performance average north of 150 and a Test average of over 40 have left fans and analysts wondering why he is still in contention.
As the Ashes series approaches, the leadership and regime at the top of English cricket will face increased pressure if the team fails to perform well against Australia. This could potentially lead to a change in the team's selection policy and open the door for new players like Jacob Bethell to make their mark.
Stay tuned for more cricket news and updates as the season progresses, as we delve deeper into the mysteries of England's selection process and the performances of their players.
