Zak Crawley produced one of the all-time memorable Ashes innings as he cracked 189 runs off 182 balls in England’s first innings in the ongoing 4th Ashes 2023 Test, at the Emirates Old Trafford, in Manchester, which put England in command in the game after they had bundled Australia out for 317 runs.
Anderson and Woakes had cleaned up the remaining two Australian wickets in the morning. In reply, England lost Duckett in the third over, but Zak Crawley and Moeen Ali played their shots, taking chances against the Australian pacers with fearless attitude in their partnership of 121 (152), in which Crawley scored 62 off 70.
Australia would have felt some relief with Moeen’s wicket, but things got even messier for Cummins and co. as Crawley and Root put on the most sensational partnership of this Ashes, and one of all-time. The two right-handers played breath-taking cricket, finding gaps in the field and going over the fielders with non-chalance ease. Crawley and Root together scored 206 (186), in the stand, the opener brought up his hundred and his fifty.
He was finally dismissed for 189 (182) when his inside edge rattled onto the stumps off Cameron Green’s bowing.
The Australian players showed great sportsmanship by shaking hands with Zak Crawley and applauding his effort in Manchester.
The bowlerCameron Green was the first one to give Zak Crawley a couple of words in praise for his thunderous century. David Warner and Alex Carey ran toward the departing Crawley to shake his hand and congratulate him for his brilliant hundred, before non-striker Joe Root gave the centurion a pat on his back. Usman Khawaja came in from cover position to share Zak Crawley’s hand, and so did Steve Smith.
The cameras then showed different parts of the Old Trafford ground where each and every spectator was on their feet, applauding this sizzling century that had pushed England in a dominating position in this game.
Watch: Australian players show great sportsmanship to Zak Crawley, Manchester gives him a standing ovation
A devastating innings comes to an end…
What an incredible knock from Zak Crawley 👏 #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/iyPrQrltlh
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 20, 2023
