England Captain Ben Stokes Hails Opening Partnership as Key to Test Victory Over India

Ben Stokes has lauded the exceptional 188-run opening partnership between Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, acknowledging it as the cornerstone of England's remarkable fourth-innings chase of 371 against India at Headingley. While Duckett's magnificent 149 grabbed headlines, Stokes emphasized Crawley's crucial contribution of 65, which provided a 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 strong start is essential. Minimizing early wicket losses is crucial, and the way Duckett and Crawley approached the game at the top of the order was particularly significant," Stokes stated.

He further added, "Zak's contribution was immense. They complement each other perfectly. The left-hand, right-hand combination, and their contrasting statures, make it challenging for bowlers to settle in. It's difficult to find a rhythm when they both get going. I'm sure the opposition would agree it can be a nightmare when they're in for a long period. Ducky's 149 was outstanding, but Zak's 65 was equally vital. He managed the situation brilliantly, recognizing when to allow Ducky to dominate and when to apply pressure. Their opening partnership has been consistently excellent over the past couple of years."

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

Stokes even sought advice from Duckett during his own innings, seeking to refine his approach against spin. "I asked him for his perspective on how I could improve my chances. I felt like I was either getting forward or back, trying to manipulate the leg side."

"Adopting a clear game plan with reverse sweeps was my strategy. It was a difficult condition, but I remained clear and 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 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.

"We're a very simple-minded pair, Baz (Brendon McCullum) and I, when it comes to cricket. The game is about scoring one more run than the opposition. We try to keep everything as simple and calm as possible," Stokes explained.

"The atmosphere in the dressing room is crucial when chasing down totals. The lads 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."

"The plan was straightforward. If we batted out the remaining overs, we would win the game due to the ground's quick scoring nature. The scoring rate has been over four an over without any team really pushing, except for Rishabh Pant. It's simply a very quick-scoring ground."