ZAK'S BACK AT THE BEGINNING

Crawley comfy in Sydney after opportunity knock in 2022

- FROM RORY DOLLARD

AS Zak Crawley prepares for this final Test of the Ashes series, the Sydney Cricket Ground offers him a chance to reflect on an innings that lit a spark under his career four years ago.

The tourists have already surrendered the urn this time but, having won a two-day shootout in Melbourne, they are hoping to cut their losses by leaving with successive victories and a 3-2 scoreline.

At the SCG in 2022, an attacking 77, scored in just 100 balls with 13 fours, proved a significant calling card for Crawley in a tough trip for England's top order. He has never fallen out of favour since, despite mixed results.

“I remember that knock clearly. It was one of my favourite ever knocks, not in terms of the score I got but in the way I played,” said Crawley, who has been England's leading run-scorer on this tour.