Ashes 2025-26: Zak Crawley gets backing from former England captain, despite pair in Perth

Former cricketer Nasser Hussain believes England would continue to support Zak Crawley despite his underwhelming performance in the first Test of the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 against . Crawley left for a six- and five-ball duck in the first and second innings, respectively, in a contest that lasted less than two days.

Hussain believes England will not make any substantial changes following their eight-wiAustraliacket defeat in the series opener, and will instead use the extended break before the second match to regroup for the rest of the tour.

“I don’t see them changing too much, to be honest. It’s not a side to overreact and change. They’ve got a lot of time off now. There’s a two-day game in Canberra that I don’t think any of them are going to play, so they’re going to have a lot of time. It’s how they handle that time and how they get away from this, but also come together and be ready for Brisbane,” stated Hussain during a conversation with Sky Sports.

The cricketer-turned-commentator suggested that Zak Crawley already has the backing of the management to come good in Australian conditions.

He, however, felt that the top-order batter will have to introspect and sort out how he will be approaching playing the new ball in the upcoming matches.

“I don’t see them making many changes. Crawley bagged a pair, and they have built Crawley up, and they’ve backed Crawley and let him be for this series. They believe that Crawley would go well in Australia because of the type of player he is, but two in two — he’s got two ducks — so he’s going to have to really dig deep and work it out. You can’t be driving at Mitchell Starc in the first over of an Ashes Test, because that will cause you problems,” he added.