NEW DELHI: Opener Zak Crawley showcased his class with a resilient unbeaten half-century, steering England to 100 for two at lunch on day one, despite facing an intense opening spell from the Indian pacers in the fifth and final Test match against India.
Facing the formidable bowling duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, known for their ability to make the ball talk, Crawley, alongside fellow opener Ben Duckett, weathered an onslaught during the initial 14 overs of fast bowling.
Scorecard: IND vs ENG 5th Test
While Duckett contributed a solid 27 off 58 balls, Crawley's composed approach saw him reach an unbeaten 61 off 71 balls by the lunch break.
The Indian pacers maintained pressure with precise bowling, but it was the introduction of spin that saw the breakthrough for the hosts. Kuldeep Yadav provided the first breakthrough by inducing a mistimed shot from Duckett, resulting in a catch for Shubman Gill at cover.
It was spinner Kuldeep who made significant inroads into the England batting lineup, claiming two crucial wickets. Despite being hit for two boundaries early on, Kuldeep persisted with flighting the ball, eventually reaping rewards as Duckett fell victim to his guile.
Crawley, meanwhile, showcased his resilience, surviving close calls and capitalizing on loose deliveries to bring up his fourth half-century of the series. His innings was marked by meticulous shot selection and elegant cover drives, further solidifying his position as England's standout batter in the series.
Notably, Crawley's aggression was evident when he stepped out to dispatch Ashwin for a towering six over long-on, showcasing his ability to seize the momentum.
However, Kuldeep struck again on the stroke of lunch, deceiving Ollie Pope with a well-disguised googly, resulting in a stumping and further denting England's progress.
(With inputs from PTI)
