Zak Crawley’s Magnificent Century Repays England’s Faith in the Ashes 2023

In the lead-up to the Ashes, Ben Stokes was asked to describe his England teammates in one word. He chose “argumentative” for Zak Crawley.

For a while, the debate among fans centered around whether Crawley deserved his place at the top of the batting order. But on a thrilling Thursday at Old Trafford, during the crucial fourth Test with the urn at stake, Crawley vindicated England’s unwavering trust by delivering a breathtaking knock of 189 runs, potentially shifting the momentum of the series.

Last summer, after England’s defeat in the first Test against South Africa, Crawley’s average hit a low point of 26.06. It was then that coach Brendon McCullum expressed his unequivocal support, acknowledging that Crawley’s skillset didn’t align with being a consistent cricketer. However, McCullum recognized the potential match-winning ability Crawley possessed when he found his rhythm.

Astonishing the crowd, Crawley chose the perfect moment, a year later, to prove McCullum right. He had already set the stage for a memorable contest by smashing a boundary off the first ball of the series, sending a clear message of intent. If England emerges victorious, this shot will surely be remembered as a legendary moment in Ashes history.

But this knock went beyond expectations, showcasing Crawley’s true capabilities. His innings transformed him from being likened to James Vince to flawlessly emulating Kevin Pietersen. His strokeplay was mesmerizing, with confident footwork to whip the ball through the leg side, impeccable drives that would make Lewis Hamilton proud, and brutal slog-sweeps of Travis Head’s part-time off-spin, hitting the ball into the stands. Additionally, his running between the wickets was nothing short of magnificent.

There were instances when Crawley rode his luck, employing the inside-edge past his own stumps, a shot reminiscent of his hero Ronnie O’Sullivan. Worries loomed before the day’s play, as England, having done the hard work with the ball, risked going too aggressive too early with the bat due to the forecasted bad weather over the weekend.

However, Crawley smoothly shifted through the gears like a high-performance car, leaving Australia puzzled about where to bowl to him once he hit top speed. He reached lunch on 26 runs from 46 balls but unleashed a blistering onslaught in the next 47 after the break, smashing 74 runs. He swiftly moved from 50 to 100 in just 26 deliveries, securing a 93-ball century, the second-fastest by an opener for England (with Crawley holding the record for the fastest). It also ranks as the second-fastest century in Tests at Old Trafford, trailing only Gilbert Jessop and Ian Botham’s swifter Ashes tons for England.

Australia found themselves rattled, resorting to frequent changes in tactics within the same over. Captain Pat Cummins scattered fielders across the ground, trying to anticipate Crawley’s next shot. In the absence of a frontline spinner, Travis Head was called upon as early as the 23rd over. Cummins, renowned as the world’s best fast bowler, conceded over five runs per over for the third consecutive innings. Steve Smith, visibly frustrated, appeared to suggest he could do a better job as skipper.

In the end, it took an extraordinary occurrence to halt Crawley’s fireworks—a ball from Cameron Green that kept low and resulted in a chop onto the stumps. As he departed the field, the Old Trafford crowd honored him with applause deserving of one of the greatest Ashes innings.

Crawley’s explosive knock was preceded by a gutsy 121-run partnership with Moeen Ali, an unexpected pairing comprising two individuals with Test averages below 30. One was short of runs, the other returning from retirement.

Prior to the second Test at Lord’s, England captain Ben Stokes revealed that Crawley and Moeen engaged in a two-day argument, centered around whether the north or south of the UK produces the best T20 cricketers. At times, Crawley batted as if he aimed to prove his point, showcasing determination in his performance.

Moeen, who recently authored a children’s story, “The Legend of Sparkhill,” found himself caught in a fairytale of his own over the past month. His press conference was delayed by a fire alarm, leaving him in full whites on the street outside Edgbaston. He missed a day of training to collect his OBE, and during the first Test, he faced criticism for using a drying agent on his hand. Dealing with a nasty gash on his spinning finger, Moeen was initially left out of the second Test but received help from a fan who sent a honey-based lotion that healed the wound.

Now, after volunteering to bat at number three, Moeen’s first Test half-century in four years was met with an emotional standing ovation from the crowd, expressing gratitude for his contribution to England’s rescue.

While Moeen’s 54 runs came as a surprise, Joe Root’s 84 runs seemed inevitable from the moment he stepped onto the crease. Australia attempted to dismiss him with short-pitched deliveries upon his arrival, but it was too late when they realized their error. Root swiftly took charge, playing drives, deft touches, and reverse-scoops. The uneven bounce caused by a delivery from Josh Hazlewood was the only consolation for Australia, as it could potentially aid England in Australia’s second innings.

Ben Stokes and Harry Brook, having exercised discretion in seeing off almost 11 overs until the close of play, position themselves well for the following day. Australia will likely fret over the damage England could inflict early on Friday.

This extraordinary day at Old Trafford stands as one of England’s most memorable in the Ashes, cherished by an exuberant crowd. The spectators leaned over their hotel balconies, reminiscent of holidaymakers around a pool in Magaluf. The Point’s viewing gallery, designed to resemble an enormous scart lead port, was consistently bustling. The sprawling temporary stand hosted a celebration that seemed to stretch all the way to Stretford.

By the end of the day, England had maneuvered themselves into a position to level the series. If they succeed, it will mark the end of a winless streak in Ashes Tests at Old Trafford dating back to 1981.

Perhaps their greatest adversary isn’t the men in baggy green caps but the Manchester weather, with unfavorable forecasts for Saturday and Sunday. Nonetheless, even if rain disrupts the weekend, it was undeniably Zak Crawley’s day in the sun.

Reflecting on his label as “argumentative,” Crawley humorously remarked, “I am stubborn, and I like a debate on things, so maybe Stokes is right. I feel like you are only argumentative if someone is willing to have an argument with you, so maybe he’s argumentative.”

The Ashes comeback is well underway, and there is no room for disagreement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ashes 2023, Zak Crawley, century, England

More about Ashes 2023, Zak Crawley, century, England

• Ashes 2023: Zak Crawley repays England faith with stunning century – BBC Sport article covering Zak Crawley’s impressive century in the Ashes 2023.
• Ben Stokes describes Ashes team-mates in one word – A related article discussing Ben Stokes’ description of his England teammates, including Zak Crawley.
• Brendon McCullum’s backing for Zak Crawley – An article highlighting Brendon McCullum’s support for Zak Crawley despite his unconventional playing style.
• Zak Crawley’s innings and highlights – A detailed analysis of Zak Crawley’s innings and the notable highlights of his performance during the Ashes 2023.
• England vs. Australia: Fourth Test match report – Match report providing a comprehensive overview of the fourth Test match between England and Australia in the Ashes 2023.