Ashes 2023: I was just trying to play my natural game, says Zak Crawley after brilliant hundred

England opener Zak Crawley has admitted he was trying to back his strengths after scoring a magnum opus knock of 189 runs off just 182 balls in the first innings of the ongoing fourth Ashes Test match against Australia at Old Trafford, Manchester.

Crawley played with a sedate approach in the opening session of the second day’s play as England scored 61 runs in 16 overs. However, the lanky batter changed gears in the second session as he scored more than 100 runs.

In the post-lunch session, England smashed a total of 178 runs in 25 overs at a run rate of 7.12, with Zak Crawley doing the lion’s share of the scoring. The right-hander completed his fourth Test century as he batted at the top of his game.

In fact, Australia could only bowl three maiden overs in the day as Crawley kept taking the visitors’ bowlers to the cleaners. Crawley completed his century off just 93 balls, the third fastest for England against Australia and the second fastest at Old Trafford after Sir Ian Botham’s 86-ball century.

The England opener added a gargantuan alliance of 206 runs with Joe Root, who scored a fine knock of 84 runs.

Crawley, speaking to BBC Test Match Special, stated, “Maybe if we lose a couple of early wickets tomorrow that changes, but we’d like a big lead and bowl them out and not have to bat again. That would be ideal, and we are not expecting that… we are expecting them to bat well.”

Crawley didn’t crawl but ride his innings on an expressway. The right-hander said they will try to back their strengths and not think too much about the weather.

“I batted well at times and scored really quickly in certain patches, then tried to absorb and get a few singles in others. We haven’t really focused too much on the weather, we’re just controlling what we can control. If that comes, we’ll worry about that later in the game,” Crawley said.

England ended the second day’s play at 384-4, leading by 67 runs and they will look to continue their domination. Don’t forget to check out cricket betting tips!