England opener Ben Duckett has created history with his marvellous century in the fourth innings of the first Test against India at Headingley. Duckett and Zak Crawley batted with great patience as the duo kept the Indian bowlers at bay during Day 5 of the Test match.
Meanwhile, Duckett slammed his sixth Test century and created a historical record. He has become the first England opener to slam a century in the fourth innings of a Test match in Leeds.
Overall, he is just the second opener to have done so at the venue after Arthur Morris of Australia had hit a hundred in the fourth innings against England in Leeds in 1948.
Duckett got to his hundred off 121 balls with a four off Ravindra Jadeja. His knock was laced with 14 fours and no sixes as the English openers played with good temperament.
Duckett survived a major scare on 97 when he was dropped by Yashasvi Jasiwal on deep backward square leg. However, the opener got to his ton in the next over after reverse sweeping Jadeja for a four towards deep point.
Duckett-Crawley pair creates record stand
Meanwhile, the opening pair of Duckett and Zak Crawley shattered the record for the highest opening partnership at Headingley in the fourth innings. The previous record belonged to the New Zealand pair of Verdun Scott and Bert Sutcliffe, both of whom had put up 112 for the opening wicket in the final innings against England in 1949.
Highest fourth innings opening stands at Headingley:
1 - Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett: 188 runs vs India in 2025
2 - Verdun Scott and Bert Sutcliffe: 112 runs vs England in 1949
3 - Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes: 106 runs vs England in 1984
4 - Graeme Fowler and Chris Tavare: 103 vs Pakistan in 1982
5 - Jeff Dujon and Desmond Haynes: 67* vs England in 1988
Meanwhile, India got the much-needed breakthrough when Prasidh Krishan dismissed Crawley to end the 188-run opening stand. Crawley was caught out on 65 at slips by KL Rahul as the visitors finally got a wicket.
ALSO READ
