Stokes Praises England Openers for Setting Up Landmark Chase Against India

Ben Stokes, the England captain, has praised the opening partnership of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley for their pivotal role in England's remarkable run chase against India at Headingley. The duo's 188-run stand set the stage for England to overhaul a target of 371 in the fourth innings.

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

While Duckett's stunning 149 grabbed headlines, Stokes emphasized the importance of Crawley's contribution of 65 runs. He described Crawley's innings as crucial in providing a disruptive and complementary presence at the top of the order.

"Chasing 370, a good start is key. Minimizing early wickets is crucial, and the way Zak played alongside Duckett was massive," Stokes stated.

He further elaborated on the dynamic between the two openers: "Zak and Ben complement each other incredibly well. The left-right combination, and their contrasting sizes, makes it difficult for bowlers to settle. When they get going, it becomes a nightmare for the opposition to find any rhythm. Duckett's 149 was fantastic, but Crawley's 65 was equally important. He handled the situation brilliantly, recognizing when to apply pressure."

Duckett's Mastery Against Spin

Duckett's dominance against Ravindra Jadeja on the final day, particularly his fearless deployment of the reverse sweep, drew special praise. Stokes hailed Duckett as one of the world's best players of spin, acknowledging his exceptional ability to execute the reverse sweep.

"Duckett is one of the best in the world at playing reverse sweeps, especially on tricky surfaces," Stokes commented.

Stokes even sought advice from Duckett during his own innings, aiming to improve his approach against spin. "I asked him for his perspective on how I could enhance my chances. I wanted to either get forward or back and try to manipulate the ball on the leg side," Stokes revealed. "Adopting a clear game plan with reverse sweeps was my strategy. It's challenging, but I wanted to remain confident in what I needed to do to put the fielders off."

Simplicity Key to England's Success

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 attributed this remarkable consistency to their ability to maintain simplicity and a relaxed atmosphere within the team.

"We are a simple-minded pair, Baz and I, when it comes to cricket. Scoring one more run than the opposition is what it boils down to. We try to keep everything as simple and calm as possible," Stokes explained.

"The atmosphere in the dressing room during chases is incredibly important. Players need to feel relaxed and have a clear mindset to perform under pressure. Maintaining a calm and relaxed vibe helps them approach the situation effectively."

Stokes concluded by highlighting the favorable batting conditions at the ground: "The plan was simple: bat out the remaining overs, and we would win because the ground is conducive to quick scoring. The scoring rate has been over four an over, largely due to the nature of the ground."