How Did Duckett and Crawley’s Fifties Propel England to Control After Stokes' Five-Wicket Haul?
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Synopsis
On an exhilarating day at Old Trafford, England's Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley showcased their batting prowess with fifties, placing the team in a strong position. Captain Ben Stokes' remarkable five-wicket haul added to the excitement, making this Test match a thrilling spectacle for cricket fans.
Key Takeaways
- Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley excelled with their fifties.
- Ben Stokes showcased his bowling prowess with a five-wicket haul.
- England is in a strong position with a score of 225/2.
- Rishabh Pant's courageous innings is noteworthy despite his injury.
- India's total of 358 sets a competitive benchmark.
Manchester, July 24 (NationPress) Impressive half-centuries from Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley have positioned England strongly after their captain, Ben Stokes, achieved his first five-wicket haul in eight years during the second day of the fourth Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at Old Trafford on Thursday.
At the end of the day, England managed to score 225/2 in 46 overs, trailing India by 133 runs. Stokes’ remarkable figures of 5-72 helped England dismiss India for 358, with Rishabh Pant bravely contributing 54 despite battling a fractured right foot, a performance that will be remembered for years.
Duckett (94) and Crawley (84) forged a fantastic opening partnership of 166 runs off 195 balls, unsettling the Indian bowlers before both fell short of their centuries. With Joe Root and Ollie Pope currently at the crease on 11 and 20 runs respectively, England appears poised to secure a significant first-innings lead.
The final session began with Crawley striking three boundaries in quick succession, reaching his fifty in just 73 balls, while Duckett reached his milestone in 46 balls. Despite the introduction of Shardul Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja into the bowling attack, boundaries continued to flow as Crawley played with remarkable confidence.
India finally broke through on the last ball of the 32nd over when Crawley edged a turning delivery from Jadeja, with KL Rahul executing a low catch at first slip, ending his innings at 84. Duckett, meanwhile, struck three boundaries off Mohammed Siraj before falling short of his century, chasing a delivery from Anshul Kamboj and edging it to wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, marking Kamboj's first Test wicket.
Root and Pope then adopted a cautious approach, with Root surviving an lbw appeal from Jasprit Bumrah due to the ball impacting outside the stumps. The pair ensured England ended the day without losing additional wickets during the last half hour of play.
Brief Scores: India 358 in 114.1 overs (B Sai Sudharsan 61, Yashasvi Jaiswal 58; Ben Stokes 5-72, Jofra Archer 3-73) lead 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 highlight the strategic brilliance of England's performance. With Duckett and Crawley setting a solid foundation, and Stokes showcasing his experience with a five-wicket haul, England looks poised to seize the momentum in this Test series. Their resilience and skill exemplify the spirit of cricket, and fans are in for an exciting conclusion.
NationPress
25/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the key performances in the match?
Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley scored impressive half-centuries, while Ben Stokes took a five-wicket haul, leading England's strong performance.
How did India perform in their first innings?
India scored 358 runs, with B Sai Sudharsan and Yashasvi Jaiswal both contributing significant runs.
What is the current status of the match?
England is at 225/2 and trails India by 133 runs, with Duckett and Crawley putting on a notable partnership.
