England Captain Stokes Praises Opening Duo After Record-Breaking Chase Against India

Ben Stokes, the England captain, has praised the outstanding 188-run opening stand between Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, acknowledging it as the cornerstone of England's successful pursuit of 371 in the fourth innings of the Headingley Test against India.

The openers laid the foundation for England's memorable win. © Getty

While Duckett's magnificent 149 grabbed headlines, Stokes emphasized that Crawley's contribution of 65 was equally crucial. He highlighted Crawley's ability to create a disruptive and complementary presence at the top of the batting order.

"When you're chasing 370, a strong start is essential. Minimizing early wickets is crucial, and the way Zak and Ducky approached it was immense," Stokes commented.

He further elaborated on the dynamics of their partnership, "Zak's innings was also significant. They complement each other perfectly. The left-hand, right-hand combination makes it difficult for bowlers to settle. It's tough to find a rhythm when they both get going, a nightmare for the opposition when they're in for a long time. Ducky scored 149, but Zak's 65 was vital. He managed the situation well, knowing Ducky was attacking, and kept the pressure on the bowlers. Their opening partnership has been excellent for us in recent years."

Duckett's dominance against Ravindra Jadeja on the final day, particularly his audacious use of the reverse sweep, impressed Stokes. He regards Duckett as one of the best players of spin in the world, especially because of his proficiency with that particular shot. "He's one of the best in the world at reverse sweeping, and an exceptional player of spin, especially on challenging surfaces," Stokes noted.

Stokes even sought Duckett's advice during his own innings, seeking insights into how to tackle the spin. "I had a quick chat with him about potential strategies to improve my chances. I felt like I was either going forward or back, trying to work the ball on the leg side."

He added, "I went in with a clear plan to use the reverse sweep. It's a tough condition, but I remained clear and confident in what I needed to do."

This match marked the sixth time under the leadership of Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum that England has successfully chased a target of 250 or more in the fourth innings. Stokes attributes this success to their ability to maintain a simple and relaxed approach.

"We are a simple-minded pair, Baz [Brendon McCullum] and I, when it comes to cricket. It's about scoring one more run than the opposition. We try to keep everything as simple and calm as possible," Stokes explained.

He emphasized the importance of the dressing room atmosphere when chasing large totals. "Maintaining a calm and relaxed vibe in the dressing room is crucial for the mindset of the players when they go out to bat under pressure. The conditions here make for a very quick-scoring ground."