After years of instability at the top of the order following the retirements of Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss, England have finally found a dependable opening pair in Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. The duo’s impressive chemistry and consistency have provided England with a long-awaited solution to their opening conundrum — a problem that lingered for over a decade.
Since teaming up in 2022, Crawley and Duckett have batted in 48 innings, scoring 2,043 runs at an average of 44.41, including four century stands and 12 half-century partnerships.
This makes them the first English opening pair since Cook and Strauss to cross 2,000 partnership runs while averaging over 40 — a feat last achieved by the legendary duo who compiled 4,711 runs in 117 innings at an average of 40.96 between 2006 and 2012.
On Day 5 of the first Test at Headingley, the pair further underlined their growing stature by putting on an unbeaten 117-run stand while chasing 371 against India. In overcast conditions and against a high-quality pace attack featuring Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, Duckett (64*) and Crawley (42*) remained untroubled through 30 overs, frustrating the Indian bowlers and fans alike.
The Indian team, led by Shubman Gill, struggled to make early inroads despite persistent appeals, tight spells, and even a mid-session ball change.
England now need just 254 runs in the remaining two sessions, with all 10 wickets intact, as Crawley and Duckett have not only kept their side in the hunt for a record chase but also symbolized the end of a decade-long search for opening stability.
