Zak Crawley’s Stumping Adds to England’s Ashes Woes on Dramatic Day Four
So, let me walk you through what unfolded around Zak Crawley on a tense and gripping day four of the third Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval, because this moment really summed up where England found themselves late in the match.
England came out to bat knowing the task was already enormous. Australia had been bowled out for 349, setting England a daunting target of 435 runs to win. From the very first session, it was clear that survival, not victory, was the immediate goal. The pressure was immense, the pitch was offering just enough turn, and the Australian bowlers were circling like sharks.
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Zak Crawley walked out as one of England’s key hopes at the top of the order. There was an expectation that he would try to settle things down and soak up some pressure. Instead, the day quickly turned into a nightmare for England, and Crawley found himself right in the middle of it.
By lunch, England were already wobbling badly, reduced to 1 for 5. Crawley was yet to score, and every delivery felt like a small battle. As the day progressed, Nathan Lyon began to weave his magic. He was given plenty of overs, plenty of attacking fields, and full backing from his captain. The ball was being tossed up, inviting the batters forward, and patience was being tested relentlessly.
Crawley’s dismissal came at a critical moment and was as sharp as it was deflating. He stepped forward to Lyon, missed the ball completely, and before he could even think about recovering his ground, the bails were whipped off. Alex Carey was lightning quick behind the stumps, and Crawley was left standing there, visibly stunned. It was one of those dismissals where there’s no argument, no drama — just instant realization that a costly mistake has been made.
That stumping didn’t just remove a batter; it drained belief from the entire England camp. The scoreboard pressure was already suffocating, and with Crawley gone, Australia tightened their grip. Nathan Lyon went on to claim more key wickets, including Ben Stokes, as England slid deeper into trouble.
By stumps, England were 6 for 207, still miles away from the target and staring down the barrel of defeat. Crawley’s moment became symbolic of England’s day — hesitation punished, pressure applied, and opportunities seized by Australia. As things stand, the Ashes look firmly in Australian hands, with England needing nothing short of a miracle on day five to escape.
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