England Captain Stokes Credits Opening Duo for Key Role in Thrilling India Test Win

Ben Stokes has praised the opening partnership of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, acknowledging their significant contribution to England's remarkable fourth-innings chase of 371 against India at Headingley. While Duckett's impressive 149 secured headlines, Stokes emphasized the importance of Crawley's 65 in establishing a dynamic and complementary presence at the top of the order.

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

"When chasing 370, a strong start is essential. Minimizing early wicket losses is crucial, and the way Zak approached it alongside Duckett was invaluable," Stokes commented.

He further elaborated on the synergy between the two batsmen: "They complement each other exceptionally well. The left-right combination and contrasting statures disrupt the bowlers' rhythm. When they both get going, it becomes a nightmare for the opposition to settle. While Duckett scored 149, Zak's 65 was equally vital. He managed the situation expertly, ensuring the pressure remained on the opposition. Their opening partnership has consistently delivered over the past few years."

Duckett's dominance against Ravindra Jadeja on the final day was particularly noteworthy, especially his confident use of the reverse sweep. Stokes hailed him as one of the best players of spin in the world, highlighting his proficiency with that particular stroke. "I spoke to him during a tea or rain break," Stokes revealed. "He excels at reverse sweeping and is a fantastic player of spin, especially on challenging surfaces."

Stokes even sought advice from Duckett during his own innings, aiming to improve his approach against spin. "I asked him for his perspective on how I could improve my chances. I felt like I was either going too far forward or back, trying to manipulate the ball on the leg side."

He added, "I decided to go in with a clear game plan and utilize the reverse sweep. It's a difficult condition, but I remained confident in what I needed to do to put pressure back onto the fielders."

This victory marks the sixth time under 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 a simple and relaxed approach.

"We maintain a very simple mindset when it comes to cricket. Ultimately, it's about scoring one more run than the opposition. We try to keep everything as simple and calm as possible," Stokes explained.

"The atmosphere in the dressing room is vital when chasing down totals. The players need to be relaxed and focused on their jobs. Maintaining a calm and relaxed environment is crucial for the mindset of the batsmen when they are out in the middle, facing the pressures of the situation."

Stokes concluded, "The plan yesterday was simple: if we bat the remaining overs, we will win because of the ground's fast-scoring nature. The scoring rate has been over four an over, largely due to the conditions. It's just a very quick-scoring ground."