England Captain Stokes Hails Openers' Heroics in Stunning Chase Against India

Ben Stokes, the captain of the England cricket team, has praised the opening partnership of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley for their crucial contribution to England's remarkable run chase against India at Headingley. The duo's impressive 188-run stand set the stage for England's successful pursuit of a 371-run target in the fourth innings.

While Duckett's outstanding 149 grabbed headlines, Stokes emphasized the significance of Crawley's 65. He noted that Crawley's innings was vital in establishing a disruptive and complementary dynamic at the top of the batting order.

England's openers provided a solid foundation for the chase. © Getty

"Chasing 370, you always aim for a strong start," Stokes commented. "Minimizing early wicket losses is crucial, and the way Duckett and Crawley approached the game was massive."

Stokes further elaborated on the pair's effectiveness: "Zak's innings was equally important. They complement each other perfectly. The left-right combination and the difference in stature make it difficult for bowlers to settle. When they get going, it becomes a nightmare for the opposition. Duckett scored 149, but Crawley's 65 was equally vital. He understood the situation and relieved pressure, allowing Duckett to dominate. Their opening partnership has been outstanding over the past few years."

Duckett's dominance against Ravindra Jadeja, particularly his audacious use of the reverse sweep, drew special praise from Stokes. He hailed Duckett as one of the best players of spin globally, especially highlighting his proficiency with that particular shot. "I spoke to him during the tea break about his reverse sweeps. He's one of the best in the world at it and a fantastic player of spin, especially on tricky surfaces."

Stokes even sought advice from Duckett during his own innings, aiming to improve his approach against spin. "I asked him for suggestions on how to improve my chances. I felt like I needed to either go forward or back and try to manipulate the leg side."

"I decided to go in with a clear game plan, including reverse sweeps. Despite the challenging conditions, I remained confident and clear about what I needed to do to push those close-in fielders back."

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

"Baz and I are a simple-minded pair when it comes to cricket," Stokes explained. "Cricket is about scoring one more run than the opposition. We try to keep everything as simple and calm as possible."

He added, "The atmosphere in the dressing room is crucial when chasing totals like that. The lads have a job to do, and maintaining a calm, relaxed environment helps them perform under pressure."

Stokes concluded, "The plan was simple: bat out the remaining overs, and we would win. The ground is conducive to quick scoring. The scoring rate has been over four an over without any team really trying, except for Rishabh Pant. It's just a very quick-scoring ground."