SunRisers Leeds captain Zak Crawley remains confident for The Hundred despite opening night setback
FOLLOWING a statement win over MI London, SunRisers Leeds women’s head coach Adi Birrell joked that kick-starting The Hundred with a victory would take some getting used to.
The former Ireland and Glamorgan coach is more accustomed to bouncing back from early setbacks. For the men’s side, however, it was a more familiar script. Zak Crawley’s SunRisers Leeds began the new era with a seven-wicket defeat to MI London at The Oval.
Australian opener Mitchell Marsh’s impressive 41-run knock was overshadowed by half-centuries from captain Sam Curran (60*) and Nicholas Pooran (58*) as MI London secured their first win of the season with 16 balls to spare.
“When someone's got a bat swing like Pooran, I'm not sure where you bowl to him, to be honest,” said Crawley. “He batted phenomenally well. The ball skidded on a bit, and it was tough.”
While spin wizard Rashid Khan won his battle against former Leeds captain Harry Brook (8), Crawley batted at No 4 position and only managed 13 (11) in his first outing as captain. After Leeds set a modest 144-run target, Brydon Carse injected early hope with twin powerplay strikes.
“The boys were unlucky in the middle with some shots,” added Crawley. “I found some fielders too. But the pacers bowled unbelievably well. That was a good sign. It was tough for the spinners and guys like Benny Howell; with the dew, it was just getting on. It would have been easier for them if we bowled first.”
Despite the heavy defeat, Crawley believes there are no major concerns in the Sunrisers camp. “You don't have to overthink it. We were close; there was a time when we were ahead. I thought we played really well.”
Leeds will host Southern Brave in their first home fixture of the new Hundred at Headingley on Saturday.