Can Duckett and Crawley Secure England's Dominance After Stokes' Five-for?
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Synopsis
On day two of the fourth Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test, England's Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley played crucial roles with their fifties, while skipper Ben Stokes celebrated his first five-wicket haul in eight years, leading England into a dominant position against India. Will they maintain this momentum?
Key Takeaways
- Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley provide strong performances with the bat.
- Ben Stokes achieves a remarkable five-wicket haul.
- Rishabh Pant showcases incredible determination despite injury.
- England's bowlers capitalize on India's inconsistent batting.
- Strategic partnerships crucial for England's innings.
Manchester, July 25 (NationPress) Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley played pivotal roles with their half-centuries, allowing England to seize a strong position after captain Ben Stokes achieved his first five-wicket haul in eight years on the second day of the fourth Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at Old Trafford on Thursday.
At the end of the day, England stood at 225/2 in 46 overs, trailing India by 133 runs. Stokes’ remarkable performance of 5-72 helped England dismiss India for 358 – with Rishabh Pant showcasing extraordinary resilience by scoring 54 runs despite a fractured right foot, a performance that will remain etched in the memory of fans. Pant had to retire hurt on 37 but returned to the crease, displaying immense determination and adding 17 more runs to ensure India surpassed the 350-run threshold.
Duckett (94) and Crawley (84) formed an impressive opening partnership of 166 runs off 195 balls, putting India under pressure before falling just short of their centuries. With Joe Root and Ollie Pope remaining not out on 11 and 20 respectively, England is poised to take a significant first-innings lead.
In the morning session, Jofra Archer consistently troubled Ravindra Jadeja, eventually getting him to edge behind, with Brook taking the catch for a score of 20. Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar managed to withstand a challenging spell from England's bowlers, forming a sixth-wicket partnership worth 48 runs.
Thakur showed his skills with three boundaries, scoring 41 off 88 balls before his dismissal, which brought an injured Pant to the crease amidst enthusiastic applause. The images of him relying on railings to bat and receiving support from Thakur highlighted his fighting spirit.
Despite hobbling between the wickets, Pant’s determination was commendable, although he eventually had to walk back following a rain-interrupted lunch.
The second session kicked off with Sundar edging Stokes for four, before he fell for 27 off 90 balls after hooking a delivery from Chris Woakes. Stokes claimed his five-wicket haul when an outswinger found Kamboj’s edge, safely caught by Jamie Smith.
Pant found his rhythm with a six off Archer and reached his 18th Test fifty in 69 balls, only for Archer to dismiss him for 54, receiving applause from the crowd.
Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah added a boundary each before Bumrah’s dismissal ended India’s innings, with Archer taking 3-75.
Initially, there were doubts about the Indian bowlers’ effectiveness in favorable conditions, but Crawley and Duckett attacked confidently against the inconsistent bowling from their opponents.
Duckett set the tone with four boundaries off debutant Anshul Kamboj and added three more off Bumrah. Crawley capitalized on Siraj's errors, hitting three boundaries, ensuring a strong position for England leading into tea.
The final session began with Crawley hitting three boundaries, both he and Duckett achieving their fifties in 73 and 46 balls respectively. Despite Thakur and Jadeja’s introduction to the attack, Crawley continued to find the boundary with ease.
India finally made a breakthrough on the last ball of the 32nd over when Crawley edged a delivery from Jadeja, caught by KL Rahul, falling for 84 off 13 balls. Duckett also fell short of a century, nicking a delivery from Kamboj to wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, granting the pacer his first Test wicket.
Root and Pope then played cautiously, with Root surviving an lbw appeal from Bumrah, ensuring no further wickets fell in the final 30 minutes, concluding the day positively for England.
Brief Scores: India 358 in 114.1 overs (B Sai Sudharsan 61, Yashasvi Jaiswal 58; Ben Stokes 5-72, Jofra Archer 3-73) trail England 225/2 in 46 overs (Ben Duckett 94 not out, Zak Crawley 84; Ravindra Jadeja 1-37, Anshul Kamboj 1-48) by 133 runs.
Point of View
It is crucial to recognize the significant contributions of players like Duckett, Crawley, and Stokes in shaping the match's dynamics. Their performances exemplify the resilience and skill that define cricket, making it an engaging spectacle for fans. The narrative of this match highlights the unpredictable nature of the sport, which keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.
NationPress
25/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the key performances in the match?
Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley both scored half-centuries, while Ben Stokes took his first five-wicket haul in eight years, showcasing exceptional skill.
How did Rishabh Pant perform despite his injury?
Rishabh Pant showed remarkable determination, scoring 54 runs despite a fractured foot, highlighting his warrior-like spirit.
What was the score at the end of the day?
At stumps, England was 225/2 in 46 overs, trailing India by 133 runs.
Who took the most wickets for England?
Ben Stokes was the standout bowler for England, claiming 5 wickets for 72 runs.
What impact did the weather have on the match?
Rain caused an early lunch to be taken, impacting the momentum of the game temporarily.
