On Day 2 of the fourth Test match against Team India, England`s opening batsmen, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett delivered dominating knocks at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground.
After bowling India out for 358 runs, the English duo smashed half-centuries.
Facing 113 balls, Zak Crawley scored 84 runs, including 13 boundaries and a maximum. On the other hand, Ben Duckett missed his well-deserved century by just six runs. Having played 100 deliveries, he smashed 13 boundaries.
Reflecting on his knock, Crawley told Sky Sports, “I just tried to play every ball on its merit. I think I premeditated too much in the last few games. I just have to trust my instincts that I am going to defend a good ball and attack in my areas”.
“I felt I did that today and judged length pretty well. Some of my dismissals have been half-hearted. They have looked aggressive, but in my mind, too half-hearted, but I hit it today,” he added.
Crawley also heaped praise on his opening partner, Duckett, by saying he is a phenomenal thinker of the game.
“Duckett is extremely good, an unbelievable player, and we talk a lot out in the middle about how we are going to go about it. He is a phenomenal thinker about the game and hits it in areas where it is hard to contain him. I just try to stay with him and hit a couple of nice drives. He is the leader of the partnership,” said the 27-year-old.
The second day of the Manchester Test saw the partnership between openers Duckett and Crawley help England score 225 runs for the loss of two wickets at the end of the play against India in the ongoing fourth Test of the five-match series at Old Trafford in Manchester on Thursday, July 24.
With Ollie Pope and Joe Root unbeaten on the crease, England still trails India`s total of 358 by 133 runs. Earlier, Rishabh Pant`s half-century was the highlight of India`s innings, as he came out to bat despite his foot being injured to score 54 in 75 balls.
(With ANI Inputs)
