Ben Duckett has become the second English opener in 30 years to achieve twin 50-plus scores in a Headingley Test match against India, following Alastair Cook’s feat. Duckett scored 62 in the first innings and followed it with an unbeaten century in the second innings, marking his first second-innings hundred in Test cricket.In the first innings, Duckett maintained England’s momentum with a composed 62 runs off 94 balls, including nine boundaries, before Jasprit Bumrah dismissed him by hitting the stumps.The left-handed batsman continued his impressive form in the second innings, quickly advancing to his century. His innings was marked by aggressive strokeplay against the Indian bowling attack led by captain Shubman Gill.Duckett received a crucial reprieve when he was on 97 runs. He attempted a pull shot that went aerial, but Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped the catch, much to bowler Mohammed Siraj’s disappointment. This was Jaiswal’s fourth dropped catch of the match, having already spilled three chances in the first innings.
Making the most of his second chance, Duckett reached his century with a reverse sweep that went for four runs. He celebrated the milestone with a leap and fist pump under Headingley’s cloudy skies.The century was particularly significant as it marked the first time an England opening batsman had scored a hundred in the fourth innings of a Test match since Alastair Cook’s unbeaten 109 against Bangladesh in Mirpur in 2010.During his innings, Duckett effectively handled the early threat posed by Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, providing England with a strong foundation to control the match proceedings. His performance demonstrated an impressive mix of composed and aggressive batting, helping England maintain a commanding position in the series opener.
