Stokes backs Crawley to improve dismal NZ record

England captain Ben Stokes has backed opener Zak Crawley to improve his dismal record against New Zealand in the second Test in Wellington.

Crawley made nought and one in the eight-wicket victory in the first Test, taking his average against the Black Caps down to 9.88.

The 26-year-old missed the last three Tests of the summer with a broken finger but in the year prior averaged almost 44 against allcomers.

“Some guys have bogey teams, some guys have teams they do really well against,” Stokes told BBC Sport.

“We’re one Test match into a series against New Zealand, but over the past 18 months Zak has been absolutely phenomenal for us.”

Crawley’s struggles come from nine Tests and 17 innings against the Kiwis.

Since 2000, only one other batter in Test cricket has played as many innings against the same opponent and ended with a lower average – West Indies’ Marlon Samuels averages 9.81 against Sri Lanka.

Stokes pointed to the job done by Crawley and his opening partner Ben Duckett in setting the tone at the beginning of an England innings.

Of all pairs to have opened at least 10 times for England in Tests, the Crawley-Duckett run-rate of 5.03 is at least a run faster than the next quickest partnership, which is Crawley and Alex Lees.

“Those two have been such a successful pairing for us,” added Stokes. “They go out there with a mindset of putting the opposition bowlers under pressure straight away, not allowing them to settle in.”