It’s good prep and we’ll be ready for next week: Zak Crawley

Perth: England opener Zak Crawley insists the squad will be fully prepared for next week’s Ashes opener in Perth, dismissing concerns over their limited build-up to the series.

The five-match series kicks off on Friday at Perth Stadium, but England’s choice to schedule only one warm-up game — against the England Lions at Lilac Hill — has faced criticism from pundits and former players. Crawley, however, remained optimistic after scoring a swift 82 off 101 balls in England’s first-innings total of 426, expressing confidence that the team will be ready for the much-anticipated showdown with Australia.

“Luckily, I don’t have to worry about those sorts of things. I just try and turn up and play my role in the team. But, as far as I’m concerned, it’s good prep. We’re getting used to the weather, getting used to the flies. It’s good prep and I feel like we’ll be ready for next week,” he told reporters on Friday. IANS

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