![Zak Crawley makes honest admission [Source: @ZakCrawleyFan/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1766238119503_Zak_Crawley_England_Australia_Ashes_2025.jpg?type=hq)
Zak Crawley makes honest admission [Source: @ZakCrawleyFan/X.com]
England’s Ashes 2025 dream is hanging by a thread. And Zak Crawley has said out loud what many fans are already feeling, that Australia have simply been too good.
Already trailing 0-2 in the 5-game series, England are tasked to chase down 435 runs in the final inning of the third Test in Adelaide to stay alive.
But with just four wickets in hand, the task seems already lost.
Zak Crawley concedes against a dominant Australia
On Day 4 of the third Ashes 2025 Test, England lost 6 wickets at 207 runs, with Zak Crawley being the top contributor with 85 off 151 balls.
However, with the visitors staring at a series of defeats, Crawley couldn’t shy away from the fact that Australia were miles ahead in terms of quality of competitiveness.
"It's been tough. They're a very, very good side. I feel like it was always going to be tough coming up here against them. They were the favorites going into it and they've proven why. They've played very, very well and made it very hard for us. Obviously we've been slightly short of our best, but a lot of credit has to go to them: they've not allowed us to be our best, really,” Crawley said on TNT Sports.
England arrived in Australia talking up their fearless ‘Bazball’ style, but Crawley conceded that the plan hasn’t worked in these conditions.
According to him, Australia’s bowlers have shut down scoring options and forced England into an uncomfortable, slower game.
"You're always looking to get better, and find ways that you can compete better. I do like to keep it simple though, and I do just think they've been better than us. A lot of the time, especially in England, we look internally and go, 'Oh, what could we have done better?' But they haven't allowed us to do [that]," he added.
Zak Crawley didn’t hide behind excuses. Instead, he offered a refreshingly honest assessment that England have been outplayed. He described Australia as the best bowling attack he has ever faced, especially on home pitches where they look almost unbeatable.
"They've played really well. Obviously we could have been better, and that's a given, but they've made it very hard for us. They're a top team in their own conditions, and they've made it hard for us.
While England captain Ben Stokes has spoken about attitude and fight, Crawley took a more grounded view. He said England have tried to look inward for answers but admitted that Australia haven’t even allowed them the space to play their natural game.
"I was just trying to see-ball and hit-ball, really. I wasn't purposely a bit slower. They bowled well. They didn't give me a lot early. I was just trying to just play every ball on its merits… it wasn't on purpose. We came here to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now. There'll still be plenty to play for [in Melbourne and Sydney] and we'll definitely view it like that."
England need 228 runs on Day 5
The third Ashes 2025 Test in Adelaide has been pushed to Day 5, with England needing 228 runs to win but with just 4 wickets in hand.
Jamie Smith and Will Jacks are the last batting pair in the middle, batting at 2 and 11, respectively. For Australia, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon picked 3 wickets each.
