Crawley Leads England as Top Scorer in 2025-26 Ashes Series
Crawley remains England's top run-scorer in the 2025-26 Ashes series in Australia, accumulating 256 runs over eight innings ahead of the final Test in Sydney. This match marks his 64th Test appearance and his 10th as an opener for England. Despite having made a pair in the first Test, Crawley's series average holds steady at 31, which has been described as an 'eternal 31.'
Crawley has been instrumental in England's performance on this tour, with his tally making him the leading scorer across the series. His current career statistics include participation in 30 England Test victories, just one fewer than Michael Atherton, but achieved in 52 fewer matches. His strong connection to Sydney, highlighted by a record stint in Sydney grade cricket, positions him well for a significant contribution in the final Test.
The Ashes tour has been framed by many as a referendum on Crawley's England career and his suitability under the current Bazball approach and team management. Ahead of the concluding Test, Crawley appeared calm and focused, emphasizing the importance of leading by example and recognizing his role within the team. He expressed readiness to contribute fully to securing a win and acknowledged possible selection decisions, including the involvement of Matthew Potts.
Additionally, the Sydney leg of the tour saw the selection of Shoaib Bashir, who had not taken a wicket in a competitive match since July.
