Vitality Blast 2026: Dropped England star Zak Crawley roars back into form with match-winning knock against Sussex

Zak Crawley. (Photo Source: Philip Brown – ECB/ECB via Getty Images)

Kent Spitfires star Zak Crawley has put his England disappointment behind him after guiding his side to an emphatic victory over Sussex in the 2026 Vitality Blast in Canterbury on Monday, May 25.

The 2026 summer has not been the kindest for Crawley, who lost his place in England’s Test squad ahead of their three-match series against New Zealand following an underwhelming start to the County Championship.

The 28-year-old, however, put his international setback aside to score a magnificent 75 not out off just 41 balls to help Kent chase down 198 with 10 balls to spare, taking them to a seven-wicket win. The right-handed batter scored three fours and six sixes to mesmerise the Canterbury crowd on a warm and sunny day in the southeast of England.

The innings, however, was shrouded in controversy when Crawley pulled a ball to deep square leg, where Tom Clark claimed a catch. The England batter, however, refused to walk, claiming the ball had bounced before Clark held the ball. The umpires deemed it to be not out, only for him to hit three sixes in the next over to bring Kent close to the finish line.

This was Crawley’s first half-century of the 2026 Vitality Blast season in only the second game of the season. He started the 20-over campaign by hitting 36 against Middlesex at Lord’s on Friday.

Crawley’s largely underwhelming tenure in Test cricket finally saw him lose his place in the side as part of England’s wholesale changes following their 2025-26 Ashes debacle. The management have instead opted to go with Durham batter Emilio Gay as the Three Lions’ potential opener alongside Ben Duckett.

The Kent batter has so far scored just 226 runs from six County Championship matches this season at an average of 20.54. His white-ball form, however, could see him keep his place in the England setup ahead of their limited-overs series against India.

It is worth mentioning that Crawley was part of England’s One Day International (ODI) squad for their three-match series away to Sri Lanka right after the Ashes. He played just one game before sustaining a knee injury.

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