Australia have shown why they were Ashes favourites, says Englands Crawley

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ADELAIDE, Dec 20 - England opener Zak Crawley said Australia had shown why they were favourites coming into the Ashes after a tough day four at Adelaide Oval left the tourists staring down the barrel of a series defeat on Saturday.

Chasing a world record 435 runs to win, England were reduced to 207 for six by stumps and needing a miracle to avoid another loss following defeats in Perth and Brisbane.

Australia have not lost a test on home soil to England in 15 years, and Crawley said it was easy to see why.

Obviously, were staring down the barrel so its disappointing right now, he told reporters after scoring 85.

Theyre a very, very good side. I feel like it was always going to be tough coming up here against them.

They were the favourites going into (the series),and theyve proven why they were.

They played very, very well and made it very hard for us.

Obviously weve been slightly short of our best but a lot of credit has to go to them. Theyve not allowed us to be our best.

England are 228 runs short of their victory target, with Will Jacks (two not out) and Jamie Smith (11 not out) tasked with continuing the fight on a day-five pitch that can only grow tougher to bat on.

After starting with a pair of ducks in the series-opener in Perth, Crawley rallied with 76 and 44 in Brisbane, and carried Englands hopes late on day four in Adelaide until he was stumped off the bowling of Nathan Lyon, who triggered a late collapse with a burst of 3-17.

A number of Crawleys