England secured a thrilling five-wicket victory in the first Test against India, thanks to Ben Duckett’s match-winning century, as they chased down 371 runs, marking the 10th highest successful run chase in Test cricket.
Openers Duckett and Zak Crawley eased their team to lunch on 117-0 in their second innings.
England looked to be cruising to a dramatic victory after turning the tide of the match at Headingley after India had been 430-3 in their first innings.
Before Crawley was dismissed for 65, Duckett maintained his dominant form with another four through the covers to reach his sixth test hundred.
Also, their 188-run partnership was the second-highest opening fourth-innings partnership for England in Test cricket.
India was pulled back into the thrilling match by two wickets in two balls from Duckett and Harry Brook, and England’s chances of winning were in jeopardy when Ben Stokes was dismissed for 33 while attempting an audacious reverse sweep.
The tension around his home ground was reduced by Joe Root’s undefeated 53.
Jamie Smith, who hit a six to complete the victory, and the former captain saw England home as India, who had scored five hundreds in the match, somehow managed to begin the five-test series in a losing position.
