Crawley Reacts to Late Arrival Claim During Test Match
England’s opener, Zak Crawley, addressed comments made by India’s Shubman Gill regarding a delay in their arrival to the crease during the third Test at Lord’s. Crawley reassured everyone that the delay was not deliberate and explained the situation calmly.
Speaking to reporters after the second day of the fourth Test in Manchester, Crawley mentioned that he was in the dressing room until he noticed the umpires stepping out, which he thought was the usual routine.
While he recognized Gill’s viewpoint, Crawley emphasized that there was no intention to violate any rules. He expressed his respect for the umpires and the values of the game.
Crawley stated, “No, it wasn’t intentional. I sit in my spot until the umpires go out. I walked out when I saw them go. I wasn’t aware we were 90 seconds late, but fair enough.”
Strong Start for England in Fourth Test
On the second day of the Test, England gained a significant advantage at Old Trafford, driven by an impressive opening partnership of 166 runs between Ben Duckett, who scored 94, and Crawley, who added 84. The duo maintained a brisk pace, scoring more than five runs per over over just 32 overs, putting India under pressure.
This century partnership was notable, being only the fifth for Crawley and Duckett in their 53 Test innings together. Duckett’s aggressive 94 came off nearly 100 balls, while Crawley showcased his skill and composure in challenging conditions.
Reflecting on their partnership, Crawley shared, “I love batting with him. He’s a phenomenal player. He scores effortlessly — today, almost a run-a-ball — and that takes pressure off me. We communicate well in the middle, and with our left-right combination and height difference, I’m sure it’s tricky for bowlers when we’re both going.”
At the end of the day, England managed to reach 225 for two, trailing India’s first-innings total of 358 by just 133 runs.
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