England Captain Stokes Hails Opening Duo's Heroics in Thrilling India Test Win

Ben Stokes has showered praise on Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley for their remarkable 188-run opening partnership, which laid a solid foundation for England's successful pursuit of 371 against India in the Headingley Test. While Duckett's stunning 149 grabbed headlines, Stokes emphasized the significance of Crawley's equally vital 65, highlighting their disruptive and complementary presence at the top of the order.

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

"When you're chasing 370, a good start is crucial. Minimizing early wickets is vital, and the way he [Duckett] and Zak approached it, dominating the top order, was immensely important," Stokes commented.

He further elaborated on the dynamics between the two batsmen: "Zak's contribution was massive. They complement each other perfectly. Left hand, right hand, different statures – it's tough for bowlers to settle when they're both firing. Finding a rhythm becomes a nightmare. Duckett's 149 was outstanding, but Zak's 65 was equally crucial. He managed the situation brilliantly, relieving pressure while Duckett attacked. Their opening partnership has been consistently excellent for us over the past couple of years."

Duckett's dominance against Ravindra Jadeja, especially his fearless reverse sweeps, impressed Stokes. He hailed Duckett as one of the best players of spin, praising his proficiency with that particular shot. "I spoke to him during the tea or rain break," Stokes revealed. "He's among the world's best at reverse sweeping and a superb player of spin, particularly on challenging surfaces."

Stokes even sought Duckett's advice during his own innings, seeking ways to improve his approach against spin. "I asked him for suggestions on how to improve my chances. I felt like I was either pushing forward or back, trying to work the leg side."

"I opted for a clear game plan with reverse sweeps. It was a difficult condition, but I remained clear and confident in my approach to disrupt the close-in fielders."

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

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

"The atmosphere in the dressing room during such chases is vital. The lads have a job to do, and maintaining a calm, relaxed vibe is crucial for their mindset when they're out there facing the pressure."

"Yesterday, the equation was simple: bat out the remaining overs, and we win, given how quickly runs are scored here. The scoring rate has been over four an over anyway. It's a very quick-scoring ground."