Stokes Hails Openers After England's Memorable Chase

Ben Stokes praised the 188-run opening stand between Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, saying it laid the foundation for England's successful fourth-innings chase of 371 in the Headingley Test against India.

"Chasing 370, you always want to get off to a good start. The way Zak and Ben went about it was huge," Stokes said. "They complement each other so well, left hand and right hand, one's a giant, one's not. It's hard for bowlers to settle in when they both get going."

Stokes highlighted Crawley's 65 as equally vital, saying it was "so, so important" in crafting a disruptive presence at the top of the order. He also praised Duckett's fearless use of the reverse sweep against Ravindra Jadeja, describing him as one of the world's finest players of spin.

Stokes even turned to Duckett for advice mid-innings, seeking guidance on how to refine his own options against spin. "I just had a little word with him about what he thought I could potentially look at to give myself a better chance," Stokes said.

This was the sixth time under Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum that England had chased down a target of 250 or more in the fourth innings. Stokes attributed their success to keeping things simple and relaxed, saying "we just try to keep everything as simple, calm as we possibly can."

"When you're chasing down totals like that, how you are in the dressing room is actually very important," Stokes said. "Keeping the calm, relaxed vibe as much as we can throughout the dressing room is so important to the mindset of how someone is to go out there when you're out there in the middle with the pressures of that situation."