West Indies vs England: Zak Crawley credit ‘calm head’ Joe Root after his hundred leads guests to security in 1st Test

West Indies vs England: Zak Crawley hit his first hundred in over 2 years because the England opener helped the guests end Day 4 at a place of security in Antigua.

WI v ENG, 1st Test: Zak Crawley shakes off self doubt after hundred on Day 4 (AP Photo)

HIGHLIGHTSZak Crawley hit 117 not out on Day 4 of the first Test vs West IndiesIt was Crawley’s first hundred in Tests since 2020England reached Stumps on Day 4 at 217/1, main West Indies by 153 runs

Zak Crawley on Saturday stated that hundred on Day 4 of the first Test between West Indies and England in Antigua means so much to him. The England opener conceded that he was clouded in self-doubt as his lean patch was attending to his head within the lead as much as their tour of the West Indies.

Zak Crawley confirmed indicators of being the top-order batter that England have been in search of when he hit a double hundred in opposition to Pakistan in 2020, smashing 267 however he had struggled ever since. He had scored solely 2 fifties since his double hundred however the 24-year-old stepped up and hit 117 not out that helped England attain a place of security within the first of the continuing 3-match collection.

He hardly even had an opportunity to get his eye in earlier than being despatched packing, failing to succeed in double figures in 11 of his 16 subsequent appearances on the crease.

“It means an awful lot,” Crawley, 24, stated after ending the day unbeaten on 117 as England earned an total lead of 153 runs with 9 wickets in hand of their second innings.

“It’s been a while since my first ton and there were times last year when I didn’t think I’d get (another) so I’m very pleased with the performance and pleased with the position we’re in.”

‘CALM-HEADED ROOT’

Crawley shared in an unbeaten 193-partnership with captain Joe Root (84), whose calm presence definitely did no hurt.

Root suggested Crawley to play every ball on its deserves, quite than making an attempt to pressure the difficulty.

“He was telling me to stay concentrated and we just had to weather those storms (of good bowling) and come back and score more freely at times,” Crawley stated.

“He’s such a calm head and so experienced I took a lot from him and he played beautifully himself.”