Zak Crawley likely to enter IPL 2024 auction with an aim to make place in England’s white-ball squads

Zak Crawley. (Photo Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

England’s Test opener Zak Crawley is likely to go under the hammer in the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). It is understood that Crawley is willing to put his name in the auction for the cash-rich event in a bid to make it to England’s white-ball squads.

Riding on the back of a magnificent campaign in the recently concluded Ashes 2023, Crawley is also eyeing a return to the Big Bash League this winter. The opener registered the most number of runs for the Three Lions in the series and the second overall with 480 runs in five appearances, lacing it with two half-centuries and one ton at an average of 53.33.

In a recent interview, Crawley stated that he is eyeing for the tour of West Indies which will take place in December as England will rest a few of their first-choice players after the ODI World Cup. He further added that he hopes to earn his spot by performing well in The Hundred for London Spirit and also put his name forward in the IPL auction.

“It’s the biggest franchise tournament (IPL) in the world. It’s the only place to see all the best playing against each other. It’s great cricket and to be able to test yourself in that tournament would be awesome. We’ll see how I go. If I score some runs and it looks like I’ve half a chance then, then potentially I will [put my name forward]. I’m a realistic guy though, so if I feel like there’s no chance then I won’t… If I was good enough one day to play in the IPL and someone wanted me, then I’d absolutely love to go,” Crawley told ESPNcricinfo.

“I’d love to go on that tour (of West Indies). We’ll have to see how selection goes but the Caribbean is an awesome place to play – and I haven’t had the chance to go on a white ball tour for England yet, so any opportunity I get would be awesome,” he added.

Since his Test call-up in 2019, Crawley has found limited opportunities in white-ball cricket as he has appeared in mere three ODIs to date. The 25-year-old right-hander has collected 97 runs at an average of 48.50 which includes one half-century.