England will go all out for a win against West Indies: Zak Crawley

NORTH SOUND: England batter Zak Crawley affirmed on Saturday that his side will go all out for a win on the final day of the opening Test against the West Indies at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Sunday (IST).

"We are going to try and win, for sure," Crawley was quoted as saying by thecricketer.com after end of day's play. "It's something we'll discuss tonight but I think we'll want a minimum of 65-70 overs (to bowl out West Indies).

"Is it possible we could take 10 wickets? I think the pitch needs to break up a little more. But if we bat well and give ourselves 70 to 75 overs to bowl them out, then maybe. Hopefully it starts spinning and breaking up. Even if it doesn't we'll try all day. You always have a sniff when the pressure is on the scoreboard," added Crawley.

If England managed to win the first of the three Tests against the West Indies it will provide the balm to the side, shattered by the 0-4 drubbing at the hands of Australia in the Ashes.

While skipper Root would be desperate to maximise any chance of a rare overseas victory, he is all too aware that there is a big question mark over the fitness of pace bowler Mark Wood. Besides, there is little evidence to suggest the wicket will deteriorate enough to push for victory.

"I've tried to put away a few more shots that I was playing last year and getting me into trouble, that's what I've been trying to do: just make the game a bit more simple," added Crawley.

Crawley also admitted that at times he had wondered if he would ever be able to make another Test century after his majestic innings of 267 against Pakistan in August 2020. The England top-order batter had gone 21 innings without reaching triple figures since his amazing 267. Crawley had only reached 50 in two of those 21 innings, one of a number of English players to struggle in the top-three over recent years. IANS

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