Zak Crawley was booed by the Perth crowd after his attempt at Ashes mind games backfired spectacularly. The England opener, who had scored a duck in the first innings, managed only another second-ball dismissal in the second innings, prodding awkwardly at a Mitchell Starc delivery that was brilliantly caught by the bowler diving to his left.
Crawley’s dismissal set the tone for another England batting collapse, as they chased a lead of 116. Scott Boland, who had been expensive on the first day, was the chief tormentor, claiming three quick wickets after lunch.
The collapse was triggered by a series of loose drives from Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, and Joe Root. Duckett was the first to fall, edging Boland to second slip. Pope then threw his bat at a wide delivery from Boland and was caught behind. Brook repeated the mistake, offering a catch to Usman Khawaja. Root fell in similar fashion, driving at a wide Starc ball and edging onto his stumps.
England’s lead was just 116 at that point, and although Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse added some quick runs, the damage was done. Crawley’s booing reflected the frustration of the travelling fans, who had hoped for a more measured response after the opener’s pre-match comments about Australia’s bowling attack.
