Stokes Credits England Openers for Orchestrating Thrilling Headingley Chase

Ben Stokes has praised the remarkable 188-run opening partnership between Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, acknowledging their pivotal role in England's successful pursuit of 371 in the fourth innings of the Headingley Test against India. While Duckett's magnificent 149 grabbed headlines, Stokes emphasized that Crawley's contribution of 65 was equally significant.

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

"Chasing 370, a strong start is essential. Minimizing early wickets is crucial, and the way Zak and Ben approached it was vital," Stokes stated.

He further elaborated on the dynamic between the two batsmen: "Zak's innings was huge. They complement each other exceptionally well. The left-hand, right-hand combination, the contrast in their stature, makes it difficult for bowlers to settle. Disrupting the opposition's rhythm is key, and their partnership has been excellent for the past couple of years."

Duckett's dominance against Ravindra Jadeja on the final day was particularly noteworthy. His fearless use of the reverse sweep from the rough impressed Stokes. "He's one of the best in the world at reverse sweeping and a fantastic player of spin, especially on tricky surfaces," Stokes commented. He even sought Duckett's advice during his own innings, aiming to improve his approach against spin.

"I asked him for suggestions on how to improve my chances. I was looking for ways to either get forward or back and manipulate the leg side." Stokes revealed. "Adopting a clear game plan with reverse sweeps was my strategy."

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 attributed this success to their simple and relaxed approach.

"We try to keep everything simple and calm," Stokes explained. "Cricket is about scoring one more run than the opposition, and when you strip it all back, that's what it's like."

The environment in the dressing room is equally crucial during such chases. "Maintaining a calm, relaxed atmosphere is vital for the players' mindset when they go out to face the pressure in the middle," Stokes emphasized.

"The plan was simple: bat out the remaining overs, and we would win, given the ground's quick scoring nature," Stokes concluded.