Stokes Credits Openers' Partnership for England's Stunning Chase Against India

Ben Stokes lauded the exceptional 188-run opening stand between Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, recognizing it as the cornerstone of England's successful fourth-innings chase of 371 against India at Headingley. While Duckett's remarkable 149 earned him widespread acclaim, Stokes emphasized Crawley's crucial contribution of 65, highlighting their disruptive and complementary partnership at the top of the order.

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

"When chasing 370, a strong start is essential. Minimizing early wickets is crucial, and the way Zak and Ben approached the game was instrumental," Stokes commented.

He further elaborated on the dynamics of the opening pair: "Zak's contribution was immense. Their contrasting styles complement each other perfectly. The left-right combination and the difference in stature make it difficult for bowlers to find their rhythm. When they get going, it can be a nightmare for the opposition. While Ducky scored 149, Zak's 65 was equally vital. He managed the situation well, recognizing Ducky's dominance and effectively applying pressure. Their opening partnership has been consistently excellent over the past few years."

Duckett's Mastery Against Spin

Duckett's dominance against Ravindra Jadeja, particularly his fearless deployment of the reverse sweep, impressed Stokes. He hailed Duckett as one of the world's best players of spin, particularly praising his use of the reverse sweep. Stokes even sought Duckett's advice during his own innings to refine his approach against spin.

"I consulted with him during the tea break about potential strategies to improve my chances. He's exceptional at reverse sweeping and a brilliant player of spin, especially on challenging surfaces."

Stokes added, "I discussed with him how I could potentially give myself a better opportunity. I was considering getting forward or back to manipulate the leg side."

"Adopting a clear strategy with reverse sweeps was my approach. Despite the difficult conditions, I remained confident in what I needed to do to disrupt the close-in fielders."

England's Approach to Chases

This victory marked the sixth time under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum that England had successfully chased a target of 250 or more in the fourth innings. Stokes emphasized that their simple and relaxed approach is key to these remarkable chases.

"Me and Baz are very simple-minded when it comes to cricket. It's about scoring one more run than the opposition. We try to keep everything simple and calm," Stokes explained.

"The atmosphere in the dressing room is crucial when chasing big totals. The lads need to go out there and execute their roles. Maintaining a calm and relaxed vibe is important for their mindset when they are out in the middle under pressure."

Stokes concluded, "The plan was simple: bat out the remaining overs, and we would win the game due to the ground's quick scoring nature. The scoring rate is generally high, around four an over, even without aggressive batting, except for Rishabh Pant. It's just a very quick-scoring ground."