A magnificent century from Ben Duckett propelled England to a sensational five-wicket triumph over India in the first Test on Tuesday, concluding a thrilling day five. The hosts successfully chased down a target of 371, marking the 10th highest successful run chase in the history of red-ball cricket.
Having dramatically turned the match on its head at Headingley after India had been 430-3 in their first innings, England appeared to be cruising towards a dramatic victory. Openers Duckett and Zak Crawley effortlessly guided their side to lunch at 117-0 in their second innings.
Duckett continued his commanding form, hitting another boundary through the covers to reach his sixth Test hundred. Crawley was dismissed for 65, but their 188-run opening partnership stands as England’s second-highest fourth-innings opening stand in Test history.
However, two wickets in quick succession – Duckett and Harry Brook – pulled India back into the enthralling contest. When Ben Stokes fell for 33 attempting an ambitious reverse sweep, England’s hopes of victory hung precariously in the balance.
Joe Root’s unbeaten 53 calmed the nerves at his home ground. The former skipper and Jamie Smith, who sealed the victory with a six, saw England home. India, despite having scored five centuries in the match, remarkably contrived to begin the five-Test series with a defeat.
