Out of England side, Crawley handed red-ball break to 'recharge'

Zak Crawley will miss Kent's next two County Championship fixtures after being granted a break to "recharge" following discussions involving the player, Kent and the ECB.

The decision comes amid a difficult red-ball season for Crawley, who has scored 226 runs in 12 Division Two innings at an average of 20.54. The opener also lost his place in England's Test side earlier this summer, with Durham's Emilio Gay preferred at the top of the order as Ben Duckett's opening partner.

"After discussions between Zak Crawley, the player group, coaching staff & the ECB, Crawley will be rested for the next two County Championship fixtures," Kent said in a statement. "This period will allow him to recharge so he can fully commit and give his all for the remainder of the season, with his immediate focus shifting to T20 cricket through to the end of the Vitality Blast."

Crawley, who had a lukewarm Ashes tour of Australia, will return to action on June 26 when Kent host Nottinghamshire in the T20 Blast. His next potential red-ball appearance could come on August 20 against Middlesex, although that fixture overlaps with England's first Test against Pakistan.