Ashes 2025: England 99 ahead at lunch after Crawley bags a pair against Australia

England’s morning and after the 19 wickets on day one everybody needed a calmer first session – just two fell in two hours. It is another tough batting day with the clouds helping Australia swing the ball and there is still plenty of nip off the surface as well.

Zak Crawley’s pair reopens the debate about him (not that it had ever stopped) but England will continue backing him. They don’t really have any option with no spare opener in the squad. Starc was superb again taking a stunning catch in his follow through off Crawley’s leading edge and Boland bowled much better, hitting his length and with more oomph too. 

England 99 ahead with plenty of power to add. Duckett overturned a leg before on the stroke of lunch a ball after a nasty blow to his arm. He walked off and looked in pain. Can England bat sensibly in these conditions, content to pick up twos and threes on a slow outfield that nullifies a blaze of boundaries? They saw out a tough final half hour of that session thanks to a bit of good fortune. 

Starc will go again after lunch and Australia will feel they can quickly fight their way back in the Test.

[Source: Daily Telegraph]