Ambitious Crawley back on track for England return

When John Crawley was beaten up at the start of England's tour to Australia two years ago, it marked the start of a decline in his international fortunes that some, including him, believed was terminal.

To earn his place on that Ashes tour, he had topped a fine season with a superb unbeaten 156 for England against Sri Lanka, his third Test hundred in 26 appearances.

But after the mugging, when he was set upon by a drunk as he made his way back to the team hotel in Cairns just three weeks into the tour, his face swelled up and his confidence shrivelled.

In the six Test innings he played in Australia on that tour, he made five scores of 15 or under. Only his 44 at Sydney pointed to a respite in the crisis.

Back at Old Trafford in 1999, he made slow progress for Lancashire and was a long way off capturing selectors attentions.

It was not until midway through last season that the Lancashire skipper began to find his touch again. In the nick of time, his form returned and as a result of a batting average exceeding 45, his phone rang and the familiar voice of David Graveney came on the line. He was back in the frame, to open the batting for England A and act as second in command to captain Mark Alleyne on the tour to West Indies.

For him, it marks the start of a new era. A chance to prove once and for all that he has what it takes to fill the boots of those who may or may not be retiring over the next year or so.

"I was very pleased to get the call for this tour because I thought I was in for another winter at home," Crawley said.

"It was a big confidence boost for me to be involved in any England tour this winter because it meant I was still in the selectors' thoughts in some way.

"Now it is important that I get as many runs as possible and help to win as many games as possible. Hopefully this will revive my prospects of playing for England. I can't lose because if I wasn't on tour, I would be sitting at home doing nothing.

"I've just turned 29 and don't feel I have got anywhere near reaching my potential at the highest level. I've played 29 matches and I've had some good little areas and some bad - I made some mistakes, but I learned from them so it is a case of getting back on the wagon and having another go."

As number two on an England 'A' tour to West Indies, Crawley has a dream opportunity to get back on that wagon. He admits the A tour atmosphere is less pressurised than the senior tour, and more conducive to playing one's natural game. He has none of the responsibilities of captaincy but as vice-captain will be involved in the key decisions and he is up against opposition across the Caribbean that may be suffering the effects of the crisis in the West Indian squad.

"I have got an important role to play. The vice-captain is the captain's right hand man, with a foot in both camps. Captaincy can be a tough job, so I will have some kind of leadership role to play in helping Mark Alleyne out.

"The island sides will be without their stars because they will still be in Australia, which is a shame. But the West Indies B side will be made up of the best of the rest so the opposition will be varied - like in county cricket, a mixture of stronger and weaker sides to it is a case of beating the stronger sides and not being complacent against the weaker ones.

" I think if we play to our full potential we should win the competition."

England A have gone 36 first class matches without losing so the concept of defeat is an unfamiliar one. Crawley clearly expects to continue the winning streak.

That mindset could combine with a series of big innings to attract Duncan Fletcher's attention, as England seek ways of beefing up their batting in preparation for the Ashes campaign next summer.