England Captain Ben Stokes Lauds Duckett & Crawley's Record-Breaking Partnership in Thrilling Chase vs. India

Ben Stokes lauded the outstanding 188-run opening partnership between Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, acknowledging their crucial role in setting the stage for England's remarkable fourth-innings chase of 371 against India at Headingley. While Duckett's magnificent 149 earned him the spotlight, Stokes emphasized that Crawley's contribution of 65 was equally significant in establishing a dynamic and complementary presence at the top of the batting order.

England's openers set the foundation for victory. © Getty

"When chasing 370, a strong start is essential. Minimizing early wickets is crucial, and the manner in which he [Duckett] and Zak approached the game at the top of the order was particularly vital," Stokes commented.

He further elaborated on the importance of Crawley's innings: "Zak's contribution was also immense. They complement each other exceptionally well. The left-hand, right-hand combination, combined with their contrasting statures, makes it challenging for bowlers to settle. Establishing a rhythm becomes difficult. When they are both set for an extended period, it can be a bowler's nightmare. While Ducky scored 149, Zak's 65 was equally crucial. He managed the situation adeptly, recognizing that Ducky was dominating and effectively putting pressure back on the opposition. Their opening partnership has been consistently excellent over the past few years."

Duckett's dominance against Ravindra Jadeja on the final day was particularly noteworthy, especially his audacious use of the reverse sweep from the rough. Stokes hailed him as one of the premier players of spin in the world, particularly highlighting his proficiency with that specific shot. "I spoke to him during the tea or rain break," Stokes revealed. "He is among the best in the world at executing reverse sweeps and is a phenomenal player of spin, especially on difficult surfaces."

Stokes even sought Duckett's advice during his own innings, seeking to refine his approach against spin. "I asked him for his perspective on potential adjustments to improve my chances. In that situation, you feel like you are either moving forward or back, attempting to manipulate the leg side."

"Adopting a clear strategy and utilizing reverse sweeps was my approach. While the conditions were challenging, maintaining clarity and confidence in my actions was essential to unsettle the close-in fielders."

This victory marked the sixth instance under the leadership of Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum where England successfully chased down a target of 250 or more in the fourth innings. Stokes attributes their success to their ability to maintain simplicity and composure.

"We are a very simple-minded pair, Baz and I, when it comes to cricket. Ultimately, cricket is about scoring one more run than the opposition. We strive to keep everything as straightforward and calm as possible," Stokes explained.

"Maintaining a calm and relaxed atmosphere in the dressing room is crucial when chasing down significant totals. The players have specific roles to fulfill, and fostering a composed environment is essential for their mindset when they are out in the middle, facing the pressures of the situation."

"The equation was simple. If we batted out the remaining overs, we would win, given the ground's reputation for quick scoring. The scoring rate has consistently been over four runs per over, even without any team particularly pushing for it, except perhaps Rishabh Pant. It is simply a very fast-scoring ground."