Stuart Broad hailed ‘complete cricketer’ Ben Duckett after his brilliant century steered England to a stunning five-wicket win over India in the first Test at Headingley.
Set an unlikely 371 to win the first of five Tests, Duckett hit 149 and found support from Zak Crawley, Joe Root, Jamie Smith and Ben Stokes as England won relatively comfortably.
Jasprit Bumrah, arguably the best bowler in the world, went wicket-less in the second innings after claiming another five-wicket haul in the first.
Duckett and Crawley set the platform for yet another superb England chase with an opening partnership worth 188.
India threatened to mount a fightback when Shardul Thakur took two wickets in two balls – removing Duckett and then Harry Brook for a first-ball duck – but Root, Smith and Stokes steadied the ship.
Stokes fell with 70 runs still needed and a new ball on its way but a composed fifty from Root and Smith’s powerful 44 took England to victory in the final session of day five.
Reacting to England’s victory, which puts them 1-0 up in the five-match Test series, Broad told Sky Sports: ‘There will be a lot of celebrations but England will have had belief all day, they would never have had any doubts.
‘It was a sensational run chase and Duckett was outstanding with his 149. It is incredible how this team keep doing this.
‘They needed 371 on a day-five pitch but did it calmly. There was a huge amount of skill on show.
‘England should probably have lost this game – India had so many chances to put it to bed but England scrapped and fought.’
On left-handed opening batter Duckett, England legend Broad added: ‘He is an outstanding player.
‘He’s so difficult to bowl at because he hits it in unusual areas. He’s a brilliant player of spin and latches onto anything short or wide.
‘He’s become a very, very complete cricketer. It was so calm and relaxed, I don’t know where spinners can bowl at him because he plays the sweep and reverse-sweep so well.
‘What a superb job he did today.’
More to follow…
