Zak Crawley Aims for Strong Finish in Ashes Series Against Australia

Crawley Sets Sights on Victory in Final Test

Sydney [Australia], January 2: England's Zak Crawley is determined to conclude the Ashes tour on a high note, despite already losing the series. He emphasized that securing victories in the last two matches would reflect positively on the team's unity and performance.

After breaking an 18-match winless streak in Australia with a victory during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, England is eager to carry that momentum into the New Year's Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The quest for their first series win on Australian soil since the 2010/11 season continues for the team.

Crawley, who has been England's leading run-scorer in this series, expressed the importance of finishing strong after facing numerous challenges in the initial three Tests, where they lost critical moments and ultimately the Ashes urn.

"There’s a significant difference internally between losing 4-1 or 3-2," Crawley remarked, highlighting the impact of a potential win on team morale.

He added, "A victory would demonstrate our unity as a group, and even if the outcome isn't favorable, a solid performance would speak volumes about us."

Currently, Crawley ranks as the third-highest run-scorer with 256 runs across four Tests, averaging 32.00 and boasting a strike rate exceeding 64, including two fifties and a top score of 85.

He indicated that spinner Todd Murphy, who is set to make his home Ashes Test debut in place of the injured Nathan Lyon, could face pressure from the England batsmen. Murphy has previously played two Tests against England, taking seven wickets at an average of over 25.

"Our team's mantra is to apply pressure on the opposition, and while Todd is a skilled bowler, we plan to challenge him just as we would with any of their bowlers," Crawley stated.

England's aggressive batting strategy was pivotal in their fourth innings chase at Melbourne, and Crawley's comments suggest they will maintain this approach as they aim to finish the Ashes series positively.

England's squad includes: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, and Shoaib Bashir.