Zak Crawley bucks the trend as wickets fall in England’s warm-up match
The IndependentSign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Zak Crawley reeled off a rapid-fire 94 on the first day of England cricket’s Test warm-up in New Zealand, a standout effort as the bowlers dominated in Queenstown. Crawley struck 14 boundaries and two sixes in a dashing 90-ball innings, but fell within one big blow of his hundred, caught off the bowling of former Black Caps Under-19 captain Jesse Tashkoff. Stokes has a long-standing indifference towards low-stakes tour matches and his decision to sit out ahead of next week’s first Test in Christchurch is not understood to be fitness related. Both could yet play a part as England take their 113-run lead into the second and final day, while Crawley’s top-order team-mates will hope for another chance to get time at the crease ahead of the first Test at Hagley Oval.