{ "id": "126219", "author": "26", "cnmid": null, "title": "Crawley Glad To Repay England Faith With Stunning Ashes Century (Report)", "lang": "en", "series": "555", "cup_year": "2023", "article_type": "General", "excerpt": "Zak Crawley admitted he would have been dropped by any other England set-up after on Thursday rewarding the \u00a0backing of captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum with a superb hundred in the four", "subtype": null, "editor1": "

Zak Crawley admitted he would have been dropped by any other England set-up after on Thursday rewarding the  backing of captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum with a superb hundred in the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford. SCORECARD<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

The opener's electrifying 189 took England to 384-4 at stumps on Thursday's second day, 67 runs ahead of Australia's first innings 317, in a match England must win if they are to stand a chance of regaining the Ashes at 2-1 down with two to play.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Crawley's prolonged run of low scores had led many to question his place in England's XI ahead of their five-match encounter with Ashes-holders Australia, the reigning world Test champions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

But Stokes and McCullum's faith in the dashing shotmaker never faltered. Crawley is just one of three ever-presents in the 'Bazball' era alongside the skipper and star batsman Joe Root.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Crawley vindicated that support Thursday with a superb maiden Ashes century, scoring at better than a run-a-ball while facing 182 deliveries, including 21 fours and three sixes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"It's fair to say that under any other coach or captain I probably wouldn't be playing this series," Crawley told reporters after stumps. "So, to be backed by them gives me a lot of confidence."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The 25-year-old Kent right-hander is now the leading run-scorer, for either team, in this series, with 385 runs at an impressive average of 55.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"They've always said not to worry about being consistent, just to go out and try to win games for England. I was just trying to play my natural game," he said<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Crawley, who shared a stand of 206 in just 186 balls with Root (84) had several lucky breaks when playing and missing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

But the fourth century of his 38-Test career was also studded with classic drives.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"I'm a big believer in luck, to be honest," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"If I get a bit of luck I just go 'that's my bit of luck for the day'. I don't feel like I've got away with one.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Crawley did, however, confess to self-doubt after four scores between 33 and 61 in the first three Tests of this series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"I was thinking too much about the score rather than being immersed in the moment," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"Baz (McCullum) talks about being present. I was a lot more present here and I think that helped me get a big score rather than worrying about getting a big score before getting there."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Australia captain Pat Cummins appeared rattled on Thursday, not least during an extraordinary session between lunch and tea where England plundered 178 runs in 25 overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The fast bowler went wicketless in an expensive return of 0-93 in 16 overs, while also dropping catches and moving fielders to where the ball had just gone.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

A bad day for Australia, bidding for a first Ashes series win in England since 2001, was made worse when fast bowler Mitchell Starc went off late on after landing heavily on his left shoulder while making a diving stop.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

He is, however, expected to resume Friday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Also Read: <\/b> Major League Cricket 2023 Schedule, Teams And Squads<\/a><\/p>

Meanwhile, Australia assistant coach Daniel Vettori said of England's run-spree: "This was that perfect storm of them coming hard at us and us not being able to come back and get some with wicket-taking options."<\/p>\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Eng-vs-Aus-4th-Ashes-test.jpg", "alt_img": "England vs Australia 4th Ashes Test Day 2 Report", "alt_title": "Zak Crawley", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "Crawley Glad To Repay England Faith With Stunning Ashes Century (Report) On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "England vs Australia 4th Ashes Test Day 2 Report: England were 384-4 at stumps on Thursday's second day, 67 runs ahead of Australia's first innings 317, in a match England must win if they are to stand a chance of regaining the Ashes at 2-1 down with two to play.", "seo_keywords": "Zak Crawley, Ashes 2023, England vs Australia", "tag": null, "tagging": "Zak Crawley,Ashes 2023,England vs Australia,", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "england-vs-australia-4th-ashes-test-day-2-report", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "1", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "1351", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "1", "created": "2023-07-21 08:30:20", "updated": "2023-07-21 08:30:20", "img_from": "Image Source: Google", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Zak Crawley, England vs Australia, Ashes 2023", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "0", "google_feed": "0", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "1", "jio_date": "2023-07-21 08:30:20", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "1", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": "Select", "article_content_type": null, "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/england-vs-australia-4th-ashes-test-day-2-report-126219" }