England opener Zak Crawley has brought up a fighting half-century at the Gabba, steadying the innings after two quick wickets in the opening session of the second Ashes Test.
Crawley reached his fifty off 70 balls, clipping Mitchell Starc off his pads for a single. The milestone was met with applause around the Brisbane stadium, as Joe Root walked down the pitch to congratulate him.
It has been a composed and crucial innings from Crawley, especially after England were reduced to 5/2 inside the first three overs — with Starc removing Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope.
Crawley and Root have since added over 80 runs for the third wicket, rebuilding England’s innings with discipline and patience against Australia’s all-pace attack.
England are 87/2 after 21.2 overs, with Crawley batting on 51 and Root on 31.
