England Captain Stokes Lauds Duckett and Crawley for Blistering Start in Record Chase Against India
By Kaushik Rangarajan
England captain Ben Stokes has lauded the remarkable 188-run opening partnership between Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, acknowledging their pivotal role in setting the stage for England's successful pursuit of a 371-run target in the fourth innings of the Headingley Test against India. While Duckett's stunning 149 grabbed headlines, Stokes emphasized that Crawley's contribution of 65 was equally significant, providing a disruptive and complementary presence at the top of the batting order.
Stokes stated, "Chasing 370, a strong start is essential. Minimizing early wicket losses is crucial. The manner in which he [Duckett] and Zak approached it, dominating the game from the top of the order, was particularly significant."
He further added, "Zak's innings was also massive. Their styles complement each other effectively. A left-hand, right-hand combination, with contrasting statures, makes it challenging for bowlers to settle. Establishing a rhythm becomes difficult when they both get going. The opposition would attest to the nightmare they create when they occupy the crease for extended periods. While Ducky scored 149, that 65 was equally vital. He assessed the situation brilliantly, understanding that Ducky was accelerating and effectively applying pressure back on the opposition. Their opening partnership has been consistently outstanding over the past few years."
Duckett's dominance against Ravindra Jadeja on the final day, especially his confident use of the reverse sweep, was particularly noteworthy. Stokes hailed him as one of the finest players of spin globally, particularly praising his execution of that particular stroke. "I even consulted with him during the tea or rain break," Stokes revealed. "He's among the best in the world at reverse sweeping and a superb player of spin, especially on challenging surfaces."
Stokes even sought Duckett's counsel mid-innings, aiming to refine his own strategy against spin. "I briefly discussed potential adjustments to improve my chances. When you're in that situation, you feel compelled to either advance or retreat, attempting to manipulate the leg side."
"Adopting a clear approach and utilizing the reverse sweep was my strategy. Despite the challenging conditions, maintaining clarity and confidence in my actions to unsettle the close-in fielders was paramount."
This chase 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 emphasized that their ability to maintain simplicity and composure is fundamental to these extraordinary feats.
"I believe we are a straightforward pair, Baz and I, when it comes to cricket. Ultimately, cricket revolves around scoring one more run than the opposition. By stripping away the complexities, we aim to maintain a simple and composed approach," Stokes explained.
"Maintaining a calm and relaxed atmosphere in the dressing room is crucial when chasing significant totals. The players need to execute their roles effectively. Fostering a relaxed environment is vital to influencing their mindset when facing pressure in the middle."
"The equation was simple: if we bat through the remaining overs, we will win, given the ground's conducive scoring conditions. The scoring rate has consistently exceeded four per over, largely due to the ground's inherent pace."
