Zak Crawley focused on mental preparation ahead of Sri Lanka Tests: "You sit down in a dark room and think about it"

England's newest double-centurion has worked at his approach against spin and hopes to implement that strategy with success this month

^{(Credit: ECB)}

Even at 22 years old, Zak Crawley is as guarded and tactful as they come. England's newest Test double centurion is arguably the least likely of the fresh crop of players to lay siege to his rivals or deliver stinging replies in the media. And his approach in the middle this winter is likely to follow a similarly conservative, watchful path.

Crawley has proved himself to be a patient yet fast learner on the international stage. He has floated around the England batting order (not least in an out of the team) but his results have been exemplary. He begins 2021 as first-choice in the red-ball team, a position he is eager to cement.

Thanks to the absence of Rory Burns and consistent with his England career to date, he is set for another move up the order to open alongside Dom Sibley. And the challenges will keep coming, with maiden Tests in the sub-continent and then, very likely, in Australia next winter.

Sri Lanka in Galle will be his first exposure to South Asian conditions at this level. Kent academy tours to India and last March's aborted tour with England provided an insight into what to expect. But this is a player constantly working at his craft, unwilling to rest despite his eyewatering 267 against Pakistan in Southampton.

James Anderson primed for limited winter role as busy 2021 beckons

"It is mainly working on your defence actually," Crawley revealed, "because the ball doesn't spin as much in England and because it spins differently. Our defence isn't quite as tight as it needs to be. That is something we need to work on to build into our games. A strong defence gives you the chance to attack later down the line."

Before England eventually returned home last year as the Covid-19 pandemic took hold, Crawley provided plenty of evidence he has the technique to prevail in conditions that remain somewhat alien to him. His three warm-up innings produced scores of 43, 91 and 105 before the fun was cut short.

That said, staying mentally fresh and focused might be as taxing as anything Dimuth Karunaratne's side throw at the tourists. Not helped by Moeen Ali's positive test, bubble life is no less strenuous away from home.

Crawley draws a direct link between enjoyment and form, with his successes last year down to warmly embracing Sri Lanka. However difficult that feeling might be to repeat, recapturing that state of mind is likely to be key again.

^{Crawley believes his form last year in Sri Lanka came from enjoying the tour (Credit: ECB)}

"I really enjoyed the trip and that is a massive benefit and you tend to play well," he added. "Even though we're in a hotel and I can't leave I'm going to try and enjoy it the best I can because when you're in a good place it is much easier to play well. I certainly enjoyed the two weeks and I love Sri Lanka. That is half the battle really, if you put in the work then the cricket takes care of itself. 

"You sit down in a dark room and you think about it. When you go to bed before you shut your eyes you're thinking about how you want to play. You do quite a lot of that. Even when you're daydreaming you're thinking about it. You're constantly thinking about it and I find if you think about it before you practice it that really helps.

"I've done a fair bit of practice at Loughborough in the bubble and I feel like I've got a decent gameplan that I've been practising in the nets and hopefully I can use it in the game."