England Captain Ben Stokes Credits Opening Partnership for Stunning Chase Against India

Ben Stokes, the England captain, has showered praise on the opening partnership of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, acknowledging their pivotal role in England's remarkable fourth-innings chase of 371 against India at Headingley. While Duckett's impressive 149 grabbed headlines, Stokes emphasized the significance of Crawley's contribution of 65, highlighting their complementary styles at the top of the order.

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

"When you're chasing 370, a strong start is crucial. Minimizing early wickets is key, and the way he [Duckett] and Zak approached it, dictating the game from the top, was massive," Stokes commented.

He further elaborated on the dynamic between Duckett and Crawley: "Zak's innings was equally important. They complement each other perfectly. Left-hand, right-hand combination, different statures – it's a nightmare for bowlers to settle in when they're both firing. It disrupts their rhythm. Duckett got the 149, but that 65 from Zak was vital. He assessed the situation brilliantly, recognizing when to apply pressure. Their opening partnership has been exceptional for us over the past couple of years."

Stokes also lauded Duckett's mastery against Ravindra Jadeja, particularly his audacious use of the reverse sweep. "He's one of the best players of spin in the world, especially with the reverse sweep, even on challenging surfaces." Stokes admitted seeking advice from Duckett during the innings. "I asked him how I could improve my options against spin. He suggested using the reverse sweep to disrupt the fielders."

England's successful chase marks the sixth time under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum that they have surpassed a target of 250 or more in the fourth innings. Stokes attributes this success to their simple and relaxed approach.

"Me and Baz [Brendon McCullum] have a very straightforward approach to cricket. It's about scoring one more run than the opposition. We try to keep things as simple and calm as possible," Stokes explained.

"The atmosphere in the dressing room is crucial during chases. Players need to go out there with a clear mindset. Maintaining a calm and relaxed environment is vital for handling the pressure. Yesterday, the equation was simple: bat out the remaining overs, and we win, given the ground's scoring rate." He noted the ground's quick scoring, "It's a very, very quick scoring ground."