Stokes Lauds England Openers for Setting Up Thrilling Headingley Test Win

Ben Stokes lauded the exceptional opening partnership of 188 runs between Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, recognizing it as the cornerstone of England's successful pursuit of a 371-run target in the Headingley Test against India. While Duckett's remarkable 149 earned him widespread acclaim, Stokes emphasized the critical role of Crawley's 65 in establishing 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 Zak and Duckett approached the game at the top of the order was particularly significant," Stokes commented.

He further added, "Zak's contribution was immense. Their complementary styles – left hand, right hand, one tall, one not – make it incredibly difficult for bowlers to settle. When they both get going, finding any rhythm becomes a nightmare for the opposition. Duckett's 149 was fantastic, but Zak's 65 was equally vital. He expertly managed the situation, recognizing when to relieve pressure while Duckett was dominating. Their opening partnership has been consistently excellent 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, drew special praise. Stokes hailed him as one of the finest players of spin in the world, emphasizing his proficiency with that particular shot. "I spoke to him during the tea or rain break," Stokes revealed. "He's among the best at executing the reverse sweep and is a superb player of spin, especially on challenging surfaces."

Stokes even sought Duckett's advice during his own innings, seeking to refine his approach against spin. "I asked him for his perspective on potential strategies to improve my chances. When you're out there, you feel like you're either pushing forward or retreating, attempting to manipulate the leg side."

"Adopting a clear game plan with reverse sweeps was my approach. While conditions were challenging, I focused on maintaining clarity and confidence in what I needed to do to disrupt 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 attributes their success to a simple, relaxed approach.

"Baz and I share a straightforward mindset when it comes to cricket. Ultimately, it's about scoring one more run than the opposition. We strive to maintain simplicity and calmness as much as possible," Stokes explained.

"The atmosphere in the dressing room during such chases is incredibly important. The players have specific roles to fulfill, and maintaining a calm, relaxed environment is crucial for their mindset when facing pressure in the middle.

"Yesterday, the equation was simple: if we batted out the remaining overs, we would win, given the ground's rapid scoring potential. The scoring rate has consistently been over four an over, with the exception of Rishabh Pant. It's simply a very conducive ground for quick scoring."