More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Home Canterbury Sport Article
Kent’s Zak Crawley scored his first Test hundred for England against Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl on Friday.
Crawley took centre stage on the first day of the final Test of the summer to cement his place on the international stage.
The 22-year-old never looked troubled in a chanceless knock, reaching three figures in 171 balls during his eighth Test appearance.
He finished the first day unbeaten on 171 from 269 balls - beating his previous first-class best score of 168 against Glamorgan at Canterbury in 2018.
"It's the best feeling I've had on a cricket field by quite a way," Crawley told Sky Sports after the day's play.
"It's a great day and hopefully we can go again tomorrow.
"It's an unbelievable feeling, seeing everyone else on the balcony clapping, it was a great moment (to get my hundred).
"I was very nervous. When I got to about 91 I was really nervous."
Crawley shared an unbeaten fifth-wicket stand of 205 with Jos Buttler, the pair resuming their partnership on day two.
It's the first Test hundred by a Kent batsman for England since Rob Key hit 221 against West Indies in 2004 at Lord's - a score Crawley will look to go past in the morning.
Crawley added: "There's so many people (to thank) but my parents are right at the top of the list.
"I couldn't have done it without them, the support they've given me so I'll make sure they get a phone call tonight and give them a big thanks."
Crawley’s previous best score in Test cricket came earlier this summer when he made 76 against West Indies, also at Southampton.
He also hit a half-century on the final day of last week’s rain-affected second Test match against Pakistan.
The Bromley-born right-handed batsman made his first class debut for Kent in 2017.
His first Test match was last November against New Zealand and his calm, measured approach has impressed many observers ever since.
