Zak Crawley struck his second England Test century against West Indies in Antigua
(Picture: AP)Zak Crawley expressed his joy at bringing up a second Test century that he thought may never happen – and says England will push for a win on the final day in Antigua.
Just 64 overs were bowled due to rain, but otherwise day four followed a near-perfect script for England. Jack Leach wrapped up the 10th West Indies wicket (they had a lead of 64 on first innings) in the first over of the day, then Crawley (117) and Root (84) put on an unbroken 193 for the second wicket.
That gives England a lead of 153 going into the final day and a very slim chance of victory, given the pitch is very flat and Mark Wood is nursing an elbow injury. Play will begin 30 minutes early, meaning the final day has 98 overs.
"We are going to try and win for sure,” he said. “It's something we'll discuss tonight but I think we'll want a minimum of 65-70 overs to bowl West Indies out.
“I think the pitch needs to break up a little more, if we bat well and give ourselves 70 overs to bowl them out… then maybe. Hopefully it starts spinning and breaking up. Even if it doesn't we'll try all day, you're always in with a sniff when the pressure is on the scoreboard.”
Crawley was delighted with his second Test century, first as opener and first for 21 innings. He was dropped last year when he averaged 11.
"I'm very happy, it's a good day for us and gives us a chance tomorrow,” he said. “There's a bit of work to do. But a Test hundred, I feel very happy.
“It was just as good [a feeling] as the first one. There’s been times when I thought I wouldn’t get another hundred. But I’m thankful that I could get another one today.
“I certainly felt under pressure at the start, I always do. I always feel nervous, it means a lot to play Test cricket. I was looking to be careful early and push on as I got in. It's new ball cricket over here, get through the new ball and it's a lot easier.”
Crawley, 24, said he was “grateful” to make the tour of Australia, on which he was recalled, and had made changes to his game.
“I was very thankful to get the call for Australia,” he said. “I was trying to work out my game after last year, where I had a bit of a blip, I feel I have made some decent strides. I can improve but I feel good about my game right now.
“When I got taken out the team they said that, they said I had a big future which I was very thankful for. It gave me a lot of confidence. I was thankful they picked me for the Ashes, it's a dream come true. I always believed in myself that I would come again. Maybe not so soon, but I knew I was young and I had a chance to come again.
“I like to put some pressure on the bowlers but I've certainly tried to rein my game in a bit more since coming back into the team. I've tried to put away a few more shots that I was playing last year and getting me into trouble, that's what I've been trying to do: just make the game a bit more simple.”
