England secured a thrilling 5-wicket victory over India in the first Test at Headingley, with Ben Duckett’s outstanding century playing a key role. Moreover, Ben Duckett’s century in England vs India was crucial in helping England chase down 371 runs. This chase became the 10th-highest successful run pursuit in Test history. Duckett’s calm yet attacking approach shaped the innings and guided England to a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
From the start of day five, England’s openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley showed great resilience. They started at 21-0 and, as a result, managed to stabilize the innings, heading into lunch at 117-0 without losing a single wicket. Notably, their 50-run partnership took 99 balls, the slowest for an England opening stand in the fourth innings. Still, this careful start built a strong foundation. After lunch, Duckett upped his game with elegant strokes, including a boundary through the covers to bring up his sixth Test century.
Zak Crawley also contributed well, adding a steady 65 runs to the total. Alongside Duckett, they put together an impressive 188-run partnership, marking England’s second-highest fourth innings opening stand in Test history. Then, Duckett kept the momentum going after Crawley’s dismissal and scored runs at a brisk pace. His innings came to a close at 149 when he fell to Shardul Thakur after attempting a big shot. Nevertheless, Duckett’s innings was memorable, marking the second-highest fourth-innings Test score by an English opener.
Meanwhile, England faced tense moments as wickets fell in quick succession. Ollie Pope, after his earlier century, was dismissed by Prasidh Krishna. Shortly after, Harry Brook edged one to the keeper for a golden duck, which added to the nerves. Even captain Ben Stokes survived a close DRS review, showing the pressure England was under. Stokes and Joe Root steadied the innings, guiding the team through a tough phase to reach tea.
With 102 runs needed in the final session, England kept their composure. Ben Duckett’s century built a strong foundation, while the middle order performed well under pressure. His disciplined and attacking innings earned widespread praise and proved vital in England’s historic chase.
In conclusion, Ben Duckett’s century was the key to England’s thrilling victory over India at Headingley. His patient approach and timely aggression helped set up the chase, highlighting his importance in the England batting lineup. Ultimately, this performance will stand out as one of the finest in recent Test history.
