England Captain Stokes Hails Opening Pair After Thrilling India Test Chase

Ben Stokes, the captain of the England cricket team, lauded the opening partnership of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley after their stunning victory against India in the Headingley Test. The pair's 188-run stand set the stage for England's successful fourth-innings chase of 371.

While Duckett's impressive 149 grabbed headlines, Stokes emphasized Crawley's crucial contribution of 65, highlighting his disruptive and complementary role at the top of the order.

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

"Chasing 370, you always aim for a solid start," Stokes commented. "Minimizing early wickets is key, and the way Zak and Ducky approached it was massive."

Stokes further elaborated on the dynamics of the opening pair: "Zak's innings was equally significant. They complement each other brilliantly. The left-hand, right-hand combination, the contrast in their stature, makes it difficult for bowlers to settle. When they get going, it's a nightmare for the opposition to find any rhythm. Ducky scored 149, but Zak's 65 was vital. He managed the situation expertly, allowing Ducky to apply pressure. Their opening partnership has been consistently excellent for the past few years."

Duckett's dominance against Ravindra Jadeja on the final day, particularly his aggressive use of the reverse sweep, was a standout feature. Stokes regards Duckett as one of the best players of spin in the world, especially praising his execution of the reverse sweep. "I spoke to him during the tea break about his reverse sweeps," Stokes revealed. "He's exceptional against spin, especially on challenging surfaces."

Stokes even sought Duckett's advice during his own innings, seeking ways to improve his approach against spin. "I asked him for suggestions to enhance my chances. I felt like I was either going too far forward or too far back, trying to manipulate the leg side."

He continued, "I went in with a clear plan and decided to use the reverse sweep. It's a tough condition, but I remained confident in my strategy to put the close-in fielders off."

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

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

Stokes emphasized the importance of a relaxed atmosphere in the dressing room when chasing large totals. "The atmosphere in the dressing room is crucial. The players have a job to do, and maintaining a calm, relaxed vibe is essential for their mindset when they go out to face the pressure in the middle."

He concluded, "The plan was simple: bat out the remaining overs, and we would win, given the quick scoring nature of the ground. The scoring rate has been over four an over, even without teams really pushing for it. It's just a very quick-scoring ground."