Ashes 4th Test: Nice to stand on the other end and watch Zak Crawley play, says Joe Root

By India Today Sports Desk: On the second day of the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford, England opener Zak Crawley delivered a performance that will be etched in cricket history. The 25-year-old smashed a brilliant 189 off 182 deliveries, leading England to a commanding position against Australia. This was not just any knock; it was the highest score by an Englishman in a home Ashes clash in 26 years.

Crawley’s innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting, as he scored 106 runs in just 82 balls. His onslaught included three sixes and 21 boundaries, leaving the Australian bowlers and fielders scrambling for answers.

But Crawley was not alone in his heroics. He found a reliable partner in Joe Root, England’s former captain. Together, they stitched a stand of 206 off just 178 balls, making it the double-century partnership with the highest recorded run-rate in Test history. Root contributed a swift 84, showcasing his class and experience.

The duo’s partnership was instrumental in helping England take a 67-run lead against Australia on Day 2. By the end of the day, England had posted a formidable 384-4, storming past Australia’s first innings total of 317-all out.

After the stumps on Day 2, Root heaped praise on Crawly, saying that he enjoyed his innings from the non-striker’s end.

“It’s nice to stand there and watch you play like that. There’s Ashes, hundreds and then there’s that, in my opinion, like to be able to go and put an end inside that together. With the series on the line, how the pitch is played and all the rest of it to go and perform. That was incredible, mate. So to be stood at the other end, watching it all and just sort of playing second fiddle was a job,” Root told Crawley in a video shared by England Cricket.

Crawley’s knock was not just about personal glory; it also put England in a strong position in the must-win fourth Ashes Test. With this terrific hundred, Crawley has become the leading run-scorer in Ashes 2023, scoring 385 runs in seven innings so far.

As the Ashes 2023 bandwagon rolls into the third day at Old Trafford, all eyes will be on how Australia respond to the challenge set by Crawley and Root. But one thing is certain: Crawley’s 189-run knock on Day 2 of the fourth Ashes Test will be remembered as one of the most remarkable innings in recent cricket history.

The fourth Test is a must-win for England to keep the five-test series alive. Root added that England are aiming to reach a stronger position to give themselves a chance to win the fourth Test and force a decider at The Oval.

“Hopefully we can push, push on this lead into a really strong position and then see where we’re at. To stand at the other end and watch you (Crawley) play in that manner, it felt like a long time coming. And he played lovely all summer. You set us up and put us in a really good position for the rest of this game,” Root said.