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 session. Anderson’s early breakthrough set the tone for England’s bowling attack. Chris Woakes also shone brightly, completing his maiden five-wicket haul in an 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. #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/W7waCdglzH
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 20, 2023
•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! pic.twitter.com/QDHub7QJ6D
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) July 20, 2023
Highest run-rate for a double century partnership in Tests:
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#Ashes #ENGvAUS— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) July 20, 2023
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. #Ashes
— Ben Saunders (@BSaundersSport) July 20, 2023
TAKE A BOW, ZAK CRAWLEY…!!!
An innings of 189 in just 182 balls with 21 fours and 3 sixes. An excellent innings by Crawley against a top class Australian bowling. pic.twitter.com/t6WA4YKnO2
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 20, 2023
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!” #Ashes
— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E) July 20, 2023
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. #Ashes #Ashes2023 https://t.co/02YKBIuPm7
— Cowboy Ganesh (@cowboy_ganesh) July 20, 2023
England scored 384 runs from just 72 overs on Day 2.
England on fire!!!! pic.twitter.com/68l3kosIao
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 20, 2023
The Cricket is ace and so is The Open, the British sporting calendar is unrivalled #Ashes #TheOpenChampionship
— Rob Taylor (@Rob_Taylor94) July 20, 2023
What a day!!! #ashes #EnglandCricket #oldtrafford pic.twitter.com/esO9q64M7p
— John Lawson (@jartlawson) July 20, 2023
Oh my word just got round to look at The Ashes scoreboard today. Zak Crawley take a fucking bow 👏🏻
— Jack 🔰 (@TotallyTettey) July 20, 2023
Zak Crawley I take back anything I ever said. What a player 👏🏼
— Adam (@atholt94) July 20, 2023
Great innings Zak Crawley! #ENGvAUS #EnglandCricket
— Katy Parkes (@KatyParkes) July 20, 2023
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) July 20, 2023
@zakcrawley daddy hundred 189 leads the establish to win this test match for @englandcricket 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) July 20, 2023
Shukar hai Zak Crawley ny Pakistan k ilawa b kisi team ki kutt lgaye hai 😭😭
— Asad (@A_sadkermit) July 20, 2023
#Twitter #reactions #Zak #Crawley #Joe #Root #headline #Englands #dominance #Australia #Day #Manchester #Test
