Zak Crawley strikes century but draw looking likely for England in first Test

Zak Crawley’s long wait for a second Test century finally ended as he and Joe Root filled their boots and ushered England away from danger on day four against the West Indies.

Nineteen months on from his star-making knock of 267 against Pakistan, Crawley finally had the chance to raise his bat aloft again in Antigua, cashing in on a lifeless surface that looks highly likely to deliver a draw.

Crawley had been picked out by Sir Vivian Richards – the Caribbean great for whom this stadium is named – as one to watch in this first Test and he ensured the tip came good with a dashing, unbeaten 117.

With Root contributing 84no to a dominant stand of 193, the tourists turned an awkward 64-run deficit into an overnight lead of 153.

Rain stalled their serene progress, leaving England on 217 for one, and although victory may be a push given Mark Wood’s elbow injury, there is at least a chance.

Root’s runs were almost predictable, with the England skipper coming off a bumper year where he averaged 61 and made six hundreds, but Crawley’s recent past is a more turbulent affair.

Ever since his career-high knock at the Ageas Bowl in August 2020 he has struggled dreadfully, averaging a barely believable 10.81 last year and, prior to this knock, spent 21 innings unsuccessfully searching for a repeat performance.

He was dropped by a reluctant management team last summer, partially for his own good, but returned mid-way through the Ashes as others suffered similarly. Here he showed why.

Of all the openers who have tried and failed to lock down a place in England’s revolving top order he has the broadest range of shots, the sweetest timing and the biggest ambitions. Too often that has got him into trouble, with errant drives and edges a