England opener Zak Crawley has dismissed concerns about his team's readiness for the upcoming Ashes series against Australia. Despite criticism from former cricketers regarding limited preparation time, Crawley expressed confidence that England will be ready when the first Test begins on November 21. The England and Wales Cricket Board arranged just one three-day warm-up match between England and England Lions at Lilac Hill Park in Perth before the five-match series. Crawley scored 82 runs off 101 balls and 3 runs off 12 balls in his two innings during this fixture. He emphasized that the warm-up has been valuable for acclimatizing to Australian conditions, including the weather and flies. Crawley also shared his affection for Perth, recalling his time playing for Perth Scorchers at the Perth Stadium during the 2023-24 Big Bash League season.
Crawley Confident Despite Limited Preparation Time
Zak Crawley rejected concerns raised by former players about England's preparation for the Ashes. The board organized only one three-day warm-up match against England Lions before the series opener. Crawley stated the preparation has been beneficial, allowing the team to adapt to Australian weather and conditions. He mentioned his role is simply to focus on performing for the team rather than worrying about scheduling decisions. The warm-up match at Lilac Hill Park saw Crawley contribute scores of 82 off 101 balls and 3 off 12 balls. He expressed strong confidence that England would be fully prepared when the first Test commences at Perth Stadium, dismissing widespread criticism about insufficient match practice ahead of the crucial series.
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