Brilliant Duckett ton steers England to exhilarating India win
Visitors lose first of five Tests even though they scored five centuries in an enthralling match
24 June 2025 - 21:21
byPeter Hall
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Joe Root, left, and Jamie Smith leave the field after taking England to victory over India in the first Test at Headingley, Leeds. Picture: Clive Mason/Getty Images
Leeds — A superb century from Ben Duckett helped steer England to a sensational five-wicket win in the first Test against India after a thrilling day five on Tuesday that saw the hosts reaching a target of 371 — the 10th highest successful run chase in Test history.
Having turned the match on its head at Headingley after India had been 430/3 in their first innings, England appeared to be cruising to a dramatic win as openers Duckett and Zak Crawley eased their side to lunch on 117/0 in their second innings.
Duckett continued his imperious form, reaching his sixth Test hundred with four through the covers, before Crawley fell for 65, their 188-run partnership the second-highest England opening fourth-innings stand in Tests.
But two wickets in two balls — Duckett and Harry Brook — dragged India back into the enthralling contest and when Ben Stokes fell for 33 attempting an ambitious reverse sweep, England’s hopes of victory lay precariously in the balance.
Joe Root’s unbeaten 53 calmed the nerves around his home ground, with the former skipper and Jamie Smith, who hit a six to seal victory, seeing England home as India, having scored five centuries in the match, somehow contrived to start the five-Test series in defeat.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Brilliant Duckett ton steers England to exhilarating India win
Visitors lose first of five Tests even though they scored five centuries in an enthralling match
Leeds — A superb century from Ben Duckett helped steer England to a sensational five-wicket win in the first Test against India after a thrilling day five on Tuesday that saw the hosts reaching a target of 371 — the 10th highest successful run chase in Test history.
Having turned the match on its head at Headingley after India had been 430/3 in their first innings, England appeared to be cruising to a dramatic win as openers Duckett and Zak Crawley eased their side to lunch on 117/0 in their second innings.
Duckett continued his imperious form, reaching his sixth Test hundred with four through the covers, before Crawley fell for 65, their 188-run partnership the second-highest England opening fourth-innings stand in Tests.
But two wickets in two balls — Duckett and Harry Brook — dragged India back into the enthralling contest and when Ben Stokes fell for 33 attempting an ambitious reverse sweep, England’s hopes of victory lay precariously in the balance.
Joe Root’s unbeaten 53 calmed the nerves around his home ground, with the former skipper and Jamie Smith, who hit a six to seal victory, seeing England home as India, having scored five centuries in the match, somehow contrived to start the five-Test series in defeat.
Reuters
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