England Captain Stokes Hails Opening Duo After Stunning Chase Against India

Ben Stokes has showered praise on Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley for their stellar 188-run opening stand, which laid a solid foundation for England's remarkable fourth-innings chase of 371 against India at Headingley. While Duckett's magnificent 149 grabbed headlines, Stokes emphasized the significance of Crawley's contribution of 65 runs, 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, a good start is paramount. Minimizing early wickets is crucial, and the manner in which Zak approached the game alongside Duckett was instrumental," Stokes commented.

He further added, "Zak's aggressive approach was equally crucial. Their contrasting styles complement each other effectively. The left-hand, right-hand combination, coupled with their differing statures, makes it challenging for bowlers to settle. Disrupting their rhythm can be a nightmare for the opposition. While Duckett scored a remarkable 149, Crawley's 65 was equally significant. He skillfully managed the situation, recognizing when to release pressure back onto the bowlers. Their opening partnership has been exceptional for us over the past few years."

Duckett's dominance against Ravindra Jadeja on the final day was particularly impressive, showcasing his fearless use of the reverse sweep against the rough. Stokes lauded him as one of the best players of spin in the world, emphasizing his proficiency with the reverse sweep. "I spoke with him during the tea break. He excels at reverse sweeps and is a brilliant player of spin, particularly on challenging surfaces," Stokes revealed.

Intriguingly, Stokes even sought advice from Duckett mid-innings to refine his own strategies against spin. "I consulted him on potential adjustments to improve my chances. I felt the need to either go forward or back to manipulate the leg side."

"Adopting a clear strategy and incorporating reverse sweeps was my approach. Although the conditions were challenging, I remained confident in my plan to unsettle the close-in fielders," Stokes explained.

This victory 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. According to Stokes, their ability to maintain simplicity and composure is fundamental to these remarkable achievements.

"Our approach is simple. Me and Baz believe in cricket's fundamental objective: scoring one more run than the opposition. We strive to maintain simplicity and calmness," Stokes stated.

"The atmosphere in the dressing room is critical when chasing such totals. The players have roles to fulfill, and maintaining a calm and relaxed environment is vital for their mindset when facing pressure in the middle."

"The equation was simple: if we bat through the remaining overs, we win. The ground facilitates quick scoring. Historically, the scoring rate here is high, even without significant contributions from teams, except perhaps Rishabh Pant. It's simply a high-scoring ground."