Stokes Lauds England's Opening Duo After Stunning Headingley Chase Against India

Ben Stokes, the captain of the England cricket team, has lauded the exceptional opening partnership between Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, recognizing their pivotal role in setting the stage for England's remarkable run chase against India in the Headingley Test. The duo's impressive 188-run stand laid a solid foundation, enabling England to successfully pursue a target of 371 in the fourth innings.

While Duckett's stunning 149 earned him widespread acclaim, Stokes emphasized the significance of Crawley's contribution of 65 runs. He highlighted Crawley's ability to forge a disruptive and complementary presence at the top of the batting order, which proved crucial in England's triumph.

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

"When you're chasing 370, getting off to a good start is crucial," Stokes stated. "Minimizing early wickets is obviously important, but the way Ben and Zak approached the game at the top of the order was particularly significant."

Stokes further elaborated on the dynamics of the Duckett-Crawley partnership, noting how their contrasting styles create difficulties for the opposition's bowlers.

"Zak's contribution was immense," Stokes commented. "They complement each other exceptionally well. The left-hand, right-hand combination, combined with their different statures, makes it challenging for bowlers to settle into a rhythm. When they both get going, it can be a nightmare for the opposition. Duckett's 149 was fantastic, but Zak's 65 was equally vital. He managed the situation masterfully, recognizing that Duckett was on a roll and effectively applying pressure back onto the bowlers. Their opening partnership has been consistently strong for us over the past few years."

Duckett's dominance against Ravindra Jadeja, particularly his audacious use of the reverse sweep, also drew praise from Stokes. He hailed Duckett as one of the best players of spin in the world, especially lauding his proficiency with that particular shot.

"I spoke to him during the tea or rain break," Stokes revealed. "He's among the best in the world at executing the reverse sweep and is a fantastic player of spin, especially on challenging surfaces."

Stokes even sought advice from Duckett during his own innings, aiming to refine his approach against spin. "I had a brief chat with him about potential strategies to improve my chances," Stokes explained. "I was considering either pressing forward or retreating to manipulate the ball on the leg side."

He added, "I went in with a clear plan to use the reverse sweep. Despite the difficult conditions, I remained confident in my approach to put pressure on the close-in fielders."

This victory marked the sixth time under the leadership of Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum that England has successfully chased down a target of 250 or more in the fourth innings. Stokes attributed this success to their ability to maintain a simple and relaxed approach.

"We are a very simple-minded pair, Baz [Brendon McCullum] and I, when it comes to cricket," Stokes said. "Ultimately, cricket is about scoring one more run than the opposition. We try to keep everything as simple and calm as possible."

Stokes emphasized the importance of maintaining a relaxed atmosphere in the dressing room when chasing large totals. "The atmosphere in the dressing room is crucial," he stated. "The players have a job to do, and maintaining a calm, relaxed vibe is essential for their mindset when they're out in the middle, facing the pressures of the situation."

He concluded, "The plan was simple: bat out the remaining overs, and we would win the game because of the ground's quick scoring nature. The scoring rate has consistently been over four an over, making it a very quick-scoring ground."