Zak Crawley defends Harry Brook after attempted reverse-sweep sparks late England collapse on day four of the Ashes in Adelaide
Published 20/12/2025 at 23:25 GMT
Zak Crawley has defended Harry Brook’s decision-making after he was dismissed while attempting a reverse-sweep on the fourth day of the third Ashes Test. It was the first of three wickets from off-spinner Nathan Lyon during a six-over period, which has left England on the brink of defeat in the series. But Crawley said he would "rather see someone get out like that than defending on that pitch".
Big wicket for Lyon as Brook perishes on reverse-sweep attempt
Video credit: TNT Sports
Zak Crawley has defended Harry Brook’s decision-making after he was dismissed while attempting a reverse-sweep on the fourth day of the third NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes Test in Adelaide.
Brook posted 30 from 56 balls before being bowled by Nathan Lyon while attempting the shot, which had brought the tourists joy earlier in the day, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
After a period of resistance from England, who adopted a more orthodox method of Test batting in this latest innings, Brooks’ dismissal was the start of a damaging spell.
Off-spinner Lyon took three wickets in the space of six overs, also removing Crawley and Ben Stokes, leaving England on the brink of defeat in the series.
It is not the first time Brook’s decision-making has been called into question in Australia, and he admitted earlier this week that he has "to rein it in a little bit", describing some of his shots during the series as "shocking".
But asked by Justin Langer on TNT Sports about the vice-captain’s latest dismissal, Crawley, who compiled an impressive 85, said: "Personally, I’d rather see someone get out like that than defending on that pitch."
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Crawley falls for 85 - 'surely the end is nigh for England'
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He added: "No one in the group would ever criticise that; I certainly would never question Harry on anything to do with batting.
"I would much rather that than someone prodding and getting caught short leg.
"We’re trying to put them under pressure, you’re going to get out somehow, I would rather it that way."
All of Crawley, Joe Root and Brook had successfully used the reverse-sweep against Lyon until the latter was bowled.
Asked generally about the use of this shot against an off-spinner, Crawley told TNT Sports: "There were more fielders on the leg side for the sweep, so we just hit the one with less fielders there.
"We hit a couple of sweeps early, and then they moved the guys round to square on the leg side, so then with only a point and a deep point, it’s harder to get caught, so then you start reversing."
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Former England off-spinner Graham Swan told Crawley: "From a spinner's point of view, moving forward, how you guys actually played there was how an off-spinner doesn’t want to be played, so very good, carry on please."
England finished day four of this third Test on 207-6, in pursuit of a target of 435, meaning Australia will return on Sunday needing just four wickets to take a 3-0 lead after three Tests.
It would see them retain the Ashes after only 11 days of cricket, winning a fourth successive home series against England.
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Highlights: England defiance not enough as Australia close in on series victory
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Watch every ball of the 2025/26 Ashes on TNT Sports and discovery+
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