In a remarkable batting display, Zak Crawley and Joe Root headlined England’s commanding performance on the second day of the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford in Manchester. Crawley’s breathtaking knock left Australia stunned as England pushed for an Ashes comeback, with the hosts ending the day at 384/4, leading the tourists by 67 runs.
Crawley’s remarkable innings of 189 runs proved to be the game-changer for England. The right-handed batter’s sensational form allowed him to notch the highest individual score by an England player in a home Ashes Test in the last 26 years. Crawley’s masterful display included 21 boundaries and three sixes during his 182-ball stay at the crease.
Partnering with Moeen Ali, Crawley set the stage for England’s dominance with a solid partnership of 121 runs. Moeen’s contribution of 54 runs at number three added to Australia’s woes as England continued to gain the upper hand.
However, it was the double-century partnership between Crawley and Joe Root that took the game away from the visitors. Joe Root, the former England captain, showcased his class with a well-made 84 runs before being dismissed. The partnership proved to be the highlight of the day and laid the foundation for England’s dominant position in the match.
Despite the dismissals of Crawley and Root, England’s Harry Brook and Ben Stokes ensured the momentum remained firmly in the host’s favor with an unbroken stand of 33 runs towards the end of the day’s play.
Earlier in the day, England’s James Anderson got off to a perfect start by removing Pat Cummins on the very first ball of the morning se🐼ssion. Anderson’s early breakthrough set the tone for England’s bowling attack. Chris Woakes also shone brightly, completing his maiden five-wicket haul in ꦚan Ashes Tests as Australia were bundled out for 317.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
The end of a special day of Test cricket…
2️⃣ wickets
3️⃣8️⃣4⃣ runsWe lead Australia by 6️⃣7⃣ after Day 2. |
— England Cricket (@englandcricket)
•Zak Crawley – 189(182).
•Moeen Ali – 54(82).
•Joe Root – 84(95).
•Harry Brook – 14*(41).
•Ben Stokes – 24*(37).England scored 384 runs in just 72 overs on day 2 in 4th Ashes Test Match and their Run-rate 5.33 – The England Domination!
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh)
Highest run-rate for a double century partnership in T🦩ests:
6.94 – Crawley & Root🏴 v AUS, 2023
6.91 – Bairstow & Stokes🏴 v SA, 2016
6.88 – Gilchrist & Hayden🇦🇺 v ZIM, 2003
6.53 – Crawley & Duckett🏴 v PAK, 2022— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats)
Can't whack Moeen at 3 again! Gutsy, but England can rack up a huge total tomorrow and try and turn the screw when Australia are in again.
— Ben Saunders (@BSaundersSport)
TAKE A BOW, ZAK CRAWLEY…!!!
An inn🃏ings of 189 in just 182 balls with 21 fours and 3 sixes. An excellent innings by𒈔 Crawley against a top class Australian bowling.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
Zak Crawley on batting with Moeen Ali:
"He hit a cover drive for 4 off Pat Cummins and said, 'shot of the day, that'. He was right – it was the shot of the day!"
— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E)
the player who doesn't know why he is on the team for a very long time has finally proved his worth.. especially when England could use a good score on the board in the crucial Ashes match. Easy for England to level the series.. all it takes 150-200 lead.
— Cowboy Ganesh (@cowboy_ganesh)
England scored 384 runs from just 72🤪 overs on Day 2.
England on fire!!!!
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
The Cricket is ace and so is The Open, the 𒈔British sporting calendar is unrivalled
— Rob Taylor (@Rob_Taylor94)
What a day!!!
— John Lawson (@jartlawson)
Oh my word just got round to look at The Ashes scoreboard today. Zak Crawley take a🥀 fucking bow 👏🏻
— Jack 🔰 (@TotallyTettey)
Zaꦏk Crawley I take back anything I ev🅰er said. What a player 👏🏼
— Adam (@atholt94)
Great innings Zak Crawley!
— Katy Parkes (@KatyParkes)
England cricket team have started off really well in the 2nd day of the 4th test, where Zak Crawley's century set the tone. Also, Indian cricket team are playing the 2nd test and today's the 1st test, which is also the 500th international match of Virat Kohli's career.
— Anurag Tumane (@ABoyWhoLovesFun)
@zakcrawley daddy hundred 189 leads the establish to win this test match for they are 384/4 stokes and brook in the middle they will make above 600+ may be and Australia will be losing this for sure….they have made mistake.
— AADIL NAFEES (@AadiLECE)
Shukar hai Z🐓ak Crawley ꦡny Pakistan k ilawa b kisi team ki kutt lgaye hai 😭😭
— Asad (@A_sadkermit)
