Zak Crawley accepts he would have been discarded under any other regime after rewarding the unwavering faith shown in him with an extraordinary 189 to put England in control of the fourth Ashes Test.
Crawley’s extended troughs in form plus a batting average of under 30 at the start of the summer led to speculation he would be the fall guy for the returning Jonny Bairstow ahead of this anticipated series.
But he has been characterised as a match-winner on his day by head coach Brendon McCullum, with Crawley one of only three ever-presents in the ‘Bazball’ era, alongside captain Ben Stokes and batter Joe Root.
And Crawley lived up to the billing with a bustling 182-ball innings, including 21 fours and three sixes, that pushed England to 384 for four in 72 overs and a lead of 67 after two days of this must-win Test at Emirates Old Trafford.
“It’s fair to say that under any other coach or captain I probably wouldn’t be playing this series,” Crawley said. “So, to be backed by them gives me a lot of confidence.
“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. (Australia have) such good bowlers that I feel if I sit there for too long they’ll get me. I like to be positive against them.
“We’ve shown that being positive suits our players. At other times we absorb pressure but most of the time we try and put pressure back on them and get them thinking about what they’re doing.”
Crawley shared a punchy 206-run stand in just 186 deliveries with Joe Root, who contributed 84 after makeshift number three Moeen Ali registered 54 – his first half-century in Tests since January 2019 – to put England in pole position. However, the weather forecast for the next two days is unsettled.
Crawley admitted he enjoyed some moments of fortune even if this knock will be remembered for some swashbuckling stroke-making that would not look out of place on an all-time great’s highlight reel.
“I’m a big believer in luck, to be honest,” Crawley said. “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.
“I just feel like everyone gets a bit of luck and everyone gets a bit of bad luck and you’ve just got to ride that wave and I certainly got my share of luck and it came off.”
That acceptance of the fluctuating fortunes of cricket also extends to off the field and those who question his place – even if he averages over 40 with six 50-plus scores in his last 11 Tests.
“To be honest that doesn’t make a difference to me,” he said. “The only thing that matters to me is enjoying my cricket and playing well.
“What other people have to say about myself is none of my business and I don’t really care. I just try and get better each day. This innings doesn’t change that.”
While he confessed to being a “stubborn” character, Crawley revealed he has at times doubted himself, including in this series after four scores between 33 and 61 in the first three Tests.
“Those thoughts always come into your head,” he added. “At Headingley I played a couple of nice shots and didn’t convert them. I was thinking too much about the score rather than being immersed in the moment.
“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.”
Australia appeared shell-shocked by what unfolded, especially between lunch and tea as England scored 178 runs in just 25 overs, while their day might have worsened as Mitchell Starc landed awkwardly on his left shoulder after diving to stop the ball late on, briefly leaving the field before returning.
Assistant coach Daniel Vettori said Starc was icing his shoulder afterwards although Australia are “pretty confident he will be all right”.
As for their confidence levels after England’s onslaught, Vettori added: “This was the first day that our press was met with them going to seven an over.
“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.”
West Indies in control as Bangladesh battle to avoid follow-on
West Indies will take a 181-run lead heading into day four of their opening Test against Bangladesh.
Having dominated day two, West Indies turned in another excellent display on Sunday to further gain control of the match.
After resuming on 40-2, Bangladesh saw Shahadat Hossain fall to Kemar Roach (1-30), but Mominul Haque did reach 50 before he was pinned lbw by Jayden Seales (2-42).
Shamar Joseph dismissed Litton Das (40) soon after as the Windies bowlers stepped into their rhythm, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (23) was soon sent packing by Alzarri Joseph, who grabbed his second wicket when he bowled Taijul Islam (18).
However, that wicket came after Taijul had combined with Jaker Ali (53) to offer some resistance and ensured the tourists avoided the follow-on.
Jaker was caught by Seales when attempting to slog Justin Greaves (2-34), with Taskin Ahmed (11 not out) and Shoriful Islam (five not out) guiding Bangladesh to 269-9 at stumps, chasing West Indies' first-innings total of 450.
Data Debrief: Bravery needed for Bangladesh
It is all about hanging on now for Bangladesh, who have to somehow see out the next two days if they are to avoid a fifth straight Test defeat.
West Indies, meanwhile, look all set to make it five Tests unbeaten at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, where Bangladesh are out to avoid a third loss.
Greaves hits unbeaten ton as West Indies dominate Bangladesh
Justin Greaves hit an unbeaten century – his first red-ball ton – as West Indies ended day two of their first Test against Bangladesh with a commanding 410-run lead.
Greaves resumed alongside Joshua Da Silva with West Indies 250-5 after day one in Antigua, eventually slamming 115 runs off 206 balls faced as the hosts established a dominant position.
His steady knock ensured the Windies recovered nicely after slipping to 261-7 early on, while Kemar Roach hit a career-best 47 through four defiant hours at the crease.
Hasan Mahmud took three day-two wickets for Bangladesh, including that of Roach, as his short delivery angled in to clip the top of middle stump.
Windies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite declared to put Bangladesh at the crease late on, and there was no respite for the tourists against the hosts' four-man pace attack.
Zakir Hasan fell to Jayden Seales for 15, while Mahmudul Hasan Joy edged Alzarri Joseph for five shortly after being dropped, leaving Bangladesh 40-2 at stumps.
Data Debrief: Career-best for Greaves
Greaves' unbeaten 115 marked his first century in Test cricket, surpassing his previous best knock – a score of 33 versus Australia in January – by some distance.
His strike rate of 55.83 on Saturday, while steady, also bettered his effort of 55.00 during that match in Brisbane. Thanks to his efforts, Bangladesh have a real mountain to climb on day three.
Inglis hails 'hard to stop' Stoinis after ruthless knock
Josh Inglis lauded "hard to stop" Marcus Stoinis as Australia signed off their T20I series against Pakistan in style, claiming a whitewash.
The hosts raced to a seven-wicket victory with almost nine overs remaining in Monday's third match.
After Australia's bowlers had limited Pakistan to just 117 runs, Stoinis ensured they signed off their final white-ball assignment in style, with his unbeaten 61 doing the damage.
Only twice has he bettered that knock in T20Is – versus New Zealand in 2021 (78) and against Oman at the World Cup earlier this year (67*).
"It's been a great week. We've had a lot of fun as a group," Inglis said. "It's been really nice.
"When Stoinis is going like that, he is really hard to stop. One of those sixes was probably the biggest I've ever seen!"
Stoinis, who was named player of the match, added: "Nice to score some runs on a beautiful wicket but credit to the bowlers who kept the total down.
"Yeah, I actually told [Haris] Rauf that this is the first time any of us got the better of him! No, he's a brilliant bowler, bowled well this series."
During their white-ball tour, Pakistan won the ODI series, their first time doing so in Australia in 22 years, but got whitewashed in the T20Is.
Despite the heavy loss, captain Agha Salman chose to focus on the positive effect the experience will have on their young players.
"I think in the middle overs, we didn't capitalise on the start," he said. "But lots of positives.
"The way Usman [Khan] batted, the way Jahandad [Khan] bowled. These youngsters will come good.
"It's obviously a big achievement winning the ODI series, but we could have done much better in the T20Is."
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