Crawley & Duckett's Explosive Start Fuels England's Record Chase, Stokes Says

England's Skipper Applauds Opening Partnership in Thrilling Chase Against India

Ben Stokes lauded the remarkable 188-run opening stand by Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, acknowledging it as the bedrock of England's triumphant fourth-innings pursuit of 371 against India at Headingley. While Duckett's impressive 149 grabbed headlines, Stokes emphasized the critical role of Crawley's 65 in establishing a disruptive and complementary dynamic at the top of the batting order.

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

"When chasing 370, a strong start is imperative. Minimizing early wicket losses is crucial, and the manner in which Zak and Ben approached it, dictating terms from the outset, proved invaluable," Stokes commented.

He further elaborated on the pair's synergy: "Zak's contribution was immense. They complement each other exceptionally well. The contrast between a left-hander and a right-hander, a tall and a shorter batsman, makes it difficult for bowlers to find their rhythm. When both are in form, it can be a nightmare for the opposition. Duckett scored 149, but Crawley's 65 was equally significant. He masterfully managed the situation, recognizing Duckett's dominance and effectively applying pressure back on the opposition. Their opening partnership has been outstanding over the past few years."

Duckett's dominance against Ravindra Jadeja on the final day, particularly his bold deployment of the reverse sweep against the rough, was a major talking point. Stokes hailed him as one of the premier players of spin in the world, especially lauding his execution of that particular shot. "I spoke to him during the tea or rain break," Stokes revealed. "He's among the best in the world at reverse sweeping and is a superb player of spin, particularly on challenging surfaces."

Stokes even sought Duckett's advice during his own innings, seeking insights on countering spin. "I simply asked him for his perspective on 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."

"Adopting a clear approach, incorporating reverse sweeps, was my strategy. Despite the difficult conditions, maintaining clarity and confidence in my actions was key to disrupting the fielders."

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

"Me and Baz share a very simple cricketing philosophy. At its core, cricket is about scoring one more run than the opposition. We strive to maintain a simple and calm approach," Stokes explained.

"The atmosphere in the dressing room is vital when chasing down totals. The players need to be relaxed and focused on their roles. Maintaining a calm and relaxed environment is crucial for fostering the right mindset, especially when facing pressure in the middle."

"Our approach was straightforward: if we bat out the remaining overs, we win. This ground facilitates quick scoring. The scoring rate has consistently been over four an over, with the exception of Rishabh Pant. It's simply a very fast-scoring ground."