Despite Zak Crawley‘s poor performance in the first Test of the ongoing Ashes 2025–26 against Australia, former cricketer Nasser Hussain thinks England would continue to support him. The contest finished in less than two days, with Crawley leaving for a six in the first and a five-ball duck in the second.
According to Hussain, England will use the prolonged break before the second match to regroup for the rest of the tour rather than making any significant changes following their eight-wicket loss in the series opener.
To be honest, I don’t think they’ll change all that much. It’s not a side to change and overreact. They now have plenty of time off. They will have plenty of time since I don’t think any of them will participate in the two-day game in Canberra. In an interview with Sky Sports, Hussain said, “It’s how they manage that time and get away from this, but also come together and be ready for Brisbane.”
Crawley won two games, and they have supported and encouraged him throughout this series.
According to the former cricket player who is now a commentator, Crawley already has managerial support to succeed in Australian conditions. However, he believed that the top-order batsman would need to reflect and decide how he would play the new ball in the forthcoming games.
“I don’t think they’ll alter much. They think that Crawley’s style of play would make him a good fit in Australia, but he’s going to have to put in a lot of effort and figure things out because he’s got two ducks. “You will have issues if you drive at Mitchell Starc in the first over of an Ashes Test,” he continued.
England had a 40-run lead in the first innings, but they were unable to build on it. In their second innings, the tourists could only muster 164. Travis Head led the hosts to a successful chase towards the target with a scorching 83-ball 123-run total. Marnus Labuschagne led his side home with an undefeated 51.
Mitchell Starc’s 10-wicket haul (7/58 in 12.5 overs and 3/55 in 12 overs) earned him the Player of the Match title. Within two days, the first match was over. The second Test is set to start in Brisbane on December 4.
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