Kent batsman Zak Crawley has been backed to have a long Test career after helping England secure a draw in the 4th Test at Sydney.

The 23 year old from Bromley scored 18 in the first innings and followed that up with an impressive 77 in the second knock, helping thrwart the Aussies as England clung on to a morale boosting draw at the SCG.

Having been left out of the side for the opening two Tests of the Ashes series, Crawley showed touches of class, some that were seen in the 267 he made against Pakistan in the summer of 2020.

After seemingly having cemented himself a place opening the England innings for the final test and possibly alongside Kent skipper Sam Billings, Crawley has been praised by two former Ashes winning captains.

Both Michael Vaughan and Ricky Ponting have lavished praise on Crawley for a match defining innings with former England skipper Vaughan having expressed his thoughts on the matter:

“Real promise from Zak Crawley. There’s the future for England. He must be given a long run, opening the batting. This is the player England have to give a long run in the side.” said Vaughan.

“Zak Crawley can seriously play … Not many positives from this Tour but he is certainly one who needs to be given a long run in this Test team.”

Meanwhile, former Aussies skipper Ponting has stated his belief that Crawley has a long term future in the side:

“I like the look of this young man, there’s something about him. He seems to be a little different with his attitude and intent than most of the other English batsman we’ve seen on trial in this series so far.”

As for another England captain, Nasser Hussain, the former Essex man has suggested Crawley should leave Kent to cement a regular place in the Test side, however he has had nothing but praise for the tall, right handed opener:

“I think Crawley has been the highlight of the Test match for me.”

“To watch him play with such fluency and a simple technique, put away the bad ball and put the pressure back on the Australia bowlers [was fantastic]. It’s something that has not been there at the top of the order.”

“Crawley looks like he is in a position to attack first and I think that puts you in a better position technically and mentally to put away the bad ball.”

“Crawley’s technique was sound and his timing off the bat was exquisite. He got in such good positions. I also liked his talk before the game and he backed it up by walking the walk.”

“For England fans who have stayed up night after night watching us plod to 20-3, it would have been a great bonus watching that Crawley innings.”

“Crawley had an awful 2021 but he reminded everyone what a class act he can be and that he is someone worth sticking with for the future. Zak now has to bat like that virtually every time he goes out to bat.”

“He will know his returns last year weren’t good enough. The 267 he got at The Ageas Bowl a couple of years was phenomenal.”

With such an endorsement from three former Test captains, Kent fans will be hoping Crawley can follow up the 77 in his last innings with a century when the day / night game starts on Friday.