Stokes Hails Duckett and Crawley's Crucial Opening Stand in England's Thrilling Chase

Ben Stokes has praised the opening partnership of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, acknowledging their significant contribution to England's successful pursuit of a 371-run target against India at Headingley. Duckett's impressive 149 earned him widespread acclaim, but Stokes emphasized the importance of Crawley's 65 in establishing a dynamic and effective presence at the top of the batting order.

England's openers set the stage for a remarkable win. © Getty

"When chasing 370, a strong start is essential. Minimizing early wicket losses is crucial," Stokes noted. "The manner in which he [Duckett] and Zak approached the game was incredibly valuable."

Stokes further elaborated on the complementary nature of the Duckett-Crawley partnership. "Zak's contribution was immense. They complement each other exceptionally well. The left-hand, right-hand combination, coupled with their contrasting statures, makes it challenging for bowlers to find their rhythm. When they are both set, it can be a nightmare for the opposition. While Ducky scored 149, Zak's 65 was equally vital. He managed the situation expertly, recognizing when to release pressure. Their opening partnership has been consistently strong for us over the past few years."

Duckett's dominance against Ravindra Jadeja on the final day, particularly his audacious use of the reverse sweep, also drew praise. Stokes regards him as one of the best players of spin in the world, especially highlighting his proficiency with that particular shot. "I spoke to him during the tea or rain break," Stokes revealed. "He is one of the best in the world at executing reverse sweeps and is a superb player of spin, especially on challenging surfaces."

Stokes even sought advice from Duckett during his own innings, seeking ways to improve his approach against spin. "I consulted him about potential adjustments I could make to enhance my chances. I felt like I needed to either get forward or back to try to manipulate the ball on the leg side."

He added, "I went in with a clear game plan and focused on reverse sweeps. The conditions were difficult, but I remained clear and confident in my approach to try and disrupt the close-in fielders."

This victory marked the sixth time under Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum that England successfully chased a target of 250 or more in the fourth innings. Stokes believes their ability to maintain simplicity and a relaxed atmosphere is key to these remarkable achievements.

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

"The atmosphere in the dressing room is crucial when chasing down totals. The players need to feel relaxed and focused on their roles. Maintaining a calm and relaxed vibe in the dressing room is essential for shaping the mindset of players when they are out in the middle, facing the pressures of the situation."

Stokes concluded, "The equation was simple: if we batted out the remaining overs, we would win because of the ground's quick scoring nature. The scoring rate has been over four an over, even without teams actively pushing for runs, except perhaps for Rishabh Pant. It's simply a very quick-scoring ground."