SOUTHAMPTON (England):
Zak Crawley scored a majestic double century and shared a record-breaking partnership with
Jos Buttler to help England reach a commanding 490-5 at tea on the second day of the third and final Test against Pakistan on Saturday.
After making a cautious start in a rain-hit morning session, Crawley converted his maiden Test hundred into a double ton on a batting-friendly pitch in Southampton.
The 22-year-old Kent batsman became the third-youngest Englishman to reach the milestone when he edged his 25th boundary in 331 deliveries.
Crawley, who had only scored three first-class hundreds prior to the Test, went on make 267 before he was stumped by Pakistan wicketkeeper
Mohammad Rizwan
to become part-time off-spinner
Asad Shafiq's first wicket of the match.
Rain interrupted play twice before Buttler (140 not out) reached his second Test century.
Crawley and Buttler negotiated the second new ball in the morning session and went on to add 359 runs, surpassing England's previous record fifth-wicket stand of 254 shared by Keith Fletcher and Tony Greig against India in 1973.
England were teetering on 127-4 on Friday when Crawley and Buttler came together to launch a counter-attack, helping the hosts reach a commanding 332-4 at the end of day one.
Pakistan's seam attack have struggled to control their line in blustery conditions, with captain
Azhar Ali
losing two reviews in pursuit of Buttler's wicket.
The visitors need to win the Test to level the series after England won the opening match in Manchester by three wickets, and the rain-hit second game ended in a draw.
Start a Conversation
Post comment