England's Captain Stokes Hails Opening Duo's Heroics in Thrilling Chase Against India

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

While Duckett's superb 149 earned him the headlines, Stokes emphasized that Crawley's contribution of 65 was equally significant, providing a crucial element of disruption and balance at the top of the order.

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

"When you're chasing 370, a good start is essential. Minimizing early wickets is crucial, and the way Zak approached it with Duckett was massive," Stokes noted.

He further elaborated on the pair's complementary styles: "They complement each other so well. Left hand, right hand, different statures. It makes it very difficult for bowlers to settle. Finding a rhythm against them when they get going is a nightmare for the opposition. Duckett got 149, but Crawley's 65 was vital. He understood the situation perfectly, allowing Duckett to apply pressure. Their opening partnership has been excellent for us over the past few years."

Duckett's dominance against Ravindra Jadeja, particularly his audacious use of the reverse sweep, also drew high praise. Stokes considers him among the best players of spin in the world, especially due to his proficiency with that particular shot. "He's one of the best in the world at reverse sweeping, and he's a fantastic player of spin, particularly on tricky surfaces," Stokes commented.

Stokes even sought advice from Duckett during his own innings, seeking to refine his approach against spin. "I spoke with him about potential adjustments to improve my chances. I felt like I was either pushing forward or back, trying to manipulate the leg side."

He added, "I went in with a clear plan to use the reverse sweep. Despite the difficult conditions, I remained confident in my approach to try and unsettle the close-in fielders."

This victory marked the sixth time under Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum that England has successfully chased a target of 250 or more in the fourth innings. Stokes attributes this success to their ability to maintain simplicity and a relaxed atmosphere.

"We're a very simple-minded pair, me and Baz, 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 vital when chasing totals like that. The lads have jobs to do, and maintaining a calm, relaxed vibe is important for their mindset when they're out there facing the pressure."

Stokes concluded, "The plan was simple: bat out the remaining overs, and we would win, given the ground's scoring pace. The scoring rate has been over four an over anyway... It's just a very, very quick scoring ground."