Crawley Misses England Squad for New Zealand, Key Says England Squad Call Stands

Zak Crawley has been left out of the england squad for the three-Test series against New Zealand after his Ashes struggles carried into the opening weeks of the County Championship season with Kent. The omission removes England’s long-time opener from a New Zealand series that begins on June 4 and gives selectors a clear sign they are willing to change the top order.

Rob Key backs Crawley

Rob Key said Crawley can use the decision as fuel. He said the 28-year-old still has a route back if he rediscovers his batting touch, and added: "He's now got the opportunity to go away and find a way to become an out‑and‑out run‑scorer."

Key also said: "I think he knew it was coming. Over the last few years, Zak has been one of the best people to have around in that setup in terms of his character." He added: "He'll take this in his stride and he'll come back. Hopefully, it'll be the making of him."

Ashes returns and Kent form

The selection call followed two separate stretches of poor form. Crawley struggled during the Ashes, then did not improve in the opening weeks of the County Championship season with Kent. Key said Ben Duckett’s return to form was the standard Crawley was asked to match, but that he had not managed it.

"There weren't many batters who had done enough in the Ashes to say they were secure," Key said. That leaves England with a sharper look at the top order before a three-match series that will test whoever takes Crawley’s place.

Atherton on England's top order

Michael Atherton said England had stuck with Crawley for a long time. He pointed to the opener’s 64 Tests and 31 average, then said: "His positions had become untenable." Atherton also said: "His returns at Test level did not justify his retention, and his returns with Kent this season did not justify his retention."

He still stopped short of writing Crawley off. "I never believe in closing the door on people. No team is good enough to do that - certainly not England at the moment," Atherton said, adding that it is hard to see Crawley returning any time soon unless the players who come in fail to hold the spot. For Crawley, the immediate task is simple: turn County Championship runs into a case that England can no longer ignore.