England’s Ashes 2025 campaign is slipping away, and Zak Crawley has voiced what many have quietly accepted, Australia have been simply superior. Trailing 0–2 in the five-Test series, England face a near-impossible task in Adelaide, needing 435 in the fourth innings to keep the contest alive.
Also Read: Zak Crawley delays, Pat Cummins retaliates, crowd goes berserk – high drama in Adelaide
By stumps on Day 4, England were 207 for six, leaving them 228 runs short with only four wickets in hand. Crawley’s 85 off 151 balls stood out on a difficult day, but even his resistance could not mask the widening gap between the two sides.
Zak Crawley admits Australia have been a level above England
Speaking after play, Crawley offered a brutally honest assessment of England’s struggles. He conceded that Australia were favourites heading into the series and have proved exactly why.
“It’s been tough. They’re a very, very good side,” Crawley told TNT Sports. “It was always going to be difficult coming out here. They’ve played very well and made it hard for us. We’ve probably been a bit short of our best, but a lot of credit has to go to them — they haven’t allowed us to be our best.”
England arrived in Australia intent on imposing their fearless ‘Bazball’ approach, but Crawley admitted the plan has been blunted by relentless bowling and unforgiving conditions. According to him, Australia’s attack shut down scoring options early, forcing England into an unfamiliar, restrained mode.
“You’re always looking to improve, but I honestly think they’ve just been better than us,” he said. “In England, we often look inward and ask what we could have done better. Here, they haven’t even allowed us that.”
Crawley described Australia’s bowling unit as the best he has faced, especially on home soil where they appear almost untouchable. While England captain Ben Stokes has continued to emphasise attitude and fight, Crawley struck a more pragmatic tone, admitting that England have struggled to play their natural game.
“I was just trying to see ball, hit ball,” he said. “It wasn’t about being slower on purpose. They bowled well and didn’t give me much early. We came here to win the Ashes and we’re staring down the barrel now. But there’s still plenty to play for in Melbourne and Sydney.”
England will resume on Day 5 needing 228 runs with Jamie Smith and Will Jacks at the crease. For Australia, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon have led the charge with three wickets each, leaving the hosts firmly in control of both the Test and the series.
