Duckett’s ton powers England to Test win

Headingley: England pulled off a remarkable victory in the first Test at Headingley, chasing down 371 runs to beat India by five wickets on the final day on Tuesday.

The hero of the match was Ben Duckett, who scored a superb 149 and guided England to one of their greatest run chases in Test cricket.

Duckett’s aggressive yet composed innings helped England complete their second-highest successful chase in Test history — just behind their 378-run pursuit against India in 2022.

England began the day needing 350 runs with all ten wickets intact. Duckett and Zak Crawley laid a strong foundation in the morning. The pair added 188 for the first wicket — England’s highest opening stand against India in more than 30 years.

Duckett brought up his sixth Test century — and first in the fourth innings — in just 121 balls. His knock included a series of commanding strokes all around the ground, highlighted by a reverse slap for six off Ravindra Jadeja. Crawley played the supporting role, contributing a well-made 65 before edging Prasidh Krishna to slip just before lunch.

Ollie Pope, England’s first-innings centurion, was bowled by Prasidh Krishna shortly after the break, and although Duckett continued unfazed, India found renewed energy when Shardul Thakur was thrown the ball midway through the session. Thakur, largely ineffective until then, turned the game briefly with two wickets in two balls — Duckett fell to a mistimed drive to extra cover, and Harry Brook was caught behind off a wide delivery angling down leg, out for a golden duck.

With England at 253 for 4, still needing 118 runs, India sensed an opportunity. But Joe Root and Ben Stokes brought calm to the chase, adding 49 runs in testing conditions. Stokes, having survived a few nervy moments and a failed review for a catch at short leg, was eventually dismissed for 33 while attempting a reverse sweep off Jadeja.

Jamie Smith, playing in his debut Test, walked in with 69 still needed and handled the situation with remarkable composure. Alongside the experienced Root, who remained unbeaten on 53, Smith (44 not out) helped England over the line with intelligent strokeplay and cool decision-making.

England's scoring rate of 4.55 per over underlined the aggressive mindset that has defined their approach under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.

With this win, England take a 1–0 lead in the five-match series. The teams now have a short break before the second Test begins at Edgbaston on July 2.