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Key Takeaways
- 1Crawley's 480 runs at 50+ average in 2023 Ashes represents a complete career resurrection after averaging 10.81 in 2021
- 2Melbourne victory provides psychological momentum for England's final Test, reframing the tour narrative from failure to resilience
- 3Crawley's record-breaking 122 off 86 balls against Pakistan (fastest century by England Test opener) signals evolved approach combining aggression with technique
"The right-hander believes the belief gained in Melbourne can drive another positive performance as England aim to close the series strongly."
The Belief Melbourne Built
Zak Crawley and England have discovered something precious in the Australian summer—momentum. After their historic Boxing Day Test victory at the MCG, the first Test win on Australian soil since January 2011, the England opener is determined to carry that confidence into the final Test at Sydney. This isn't just about salvaging pride in a challenging tour; it's about proving that the rebuild under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum has genuine substance.
Crawley's own performance during the Ashes has been a bright spot in an otherwise turbulent campaign. The Kent opener finished as England's top scorer with 480 runs at an average exceeding 50, including a commanding 189 in the fourth Test at Melbourne. For a player who spent much of 2021 battling single-figure scores and averaging just 10.81 that year, this resurgence represents a complete cricket resurrection.
Reading Between the Lines
What makes Crawley's confidence particularly significant is the context. England arrived in Australia under enormous pressure after losing the summer Ashes series at home. The narrative around McCullum's tenure had turned decidedly negative. Yet the Melbourne victory—and Crawley's central role in it—has fundamentally shifted the mood within the camp.
'The belief gained in Melbourne can drive another positive performance as England aim to close the series strongly,' Crawley reflected, capturing the psychological importance of finishing well.
This is vintage cricket psychology. A final Test victory in Sydney wouldn't erase the series loss, but it would reframe the entire narrative. Instead of a failed Ashes campaign, it becomes a story of resilience and tactical adjustment. For Stokes, for McCullum, and for players like Crawley fighting to establish themselves at international level, that distinction matters enormously.
The Bigger Picture
Crawley's journey deserves particular attention here. Named one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year in 2021 after scoring 267 in his debut year, he subsequently endured a brutal 18 months of inconsistency and self-doubt. Many thought his England career might be finished. Yet he's fought back with the kind of technical discipline and mental resilience that separates international cricketers from the rest.
His record speaks volumes:
| Metric | 2020 | 2021 | 2022-23 | 2023 Ashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test Runs | 267 | 173 | 722 | 480 |
| Average | 53.40 | 10.81 | 36.10 | 50+ |
| Centuries | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Status | Rising Star | Under Pressure | Resurgent | Top Scorer |
The 2023 Ashes performance—particularly that 122 off just 86 balls against Pakistan in late 2022, which set the record for the fastest century by an England Test opener—showed Crawley had evolved. He'd added aggressive intent to technical soundness.
What Sydney Demands
Ending the Ashes positively requires more than individual brilliance. England will need their top order to fire collectively, their bowlers to execute in Australian conditions, and their fielding to remain sharp. But Crawley's role is foundational. If England's opener provides a solid platform—ideally a substantial score—it gives the middle order confidence and the bowlers breathing room.
The final Test also represents a chance for Crawley to cement his position as a genuine Test match opener. His recent ODI recall after a two-year absence signals England's faith in his abilities across formats. That faith will be tested in Sydney.
My Take
Crawley's confidence isn't arrogance; it's earned. He's been to the depths of international cricket doubt and clawed his way back. Melbourne wasn't a flash of brilliance—it was the culmination of months of technical work and mental recalibration. If England can finish the Ashes strongly at Sydney, much of the credit will belong to their opener.
The question isn't whether Crawley believes England can close positively—clearly he does. The question is whether that belief translates into runs when it matters most. In Test cricket, that's where champions are separated from pretenders. Will Crawley deliver when the final curtain falls on this Ashes series?
