MANCHESTER– Openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley gave England a blazing start in the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, reaching 77 without loss in just 14 overs at tea on day two at Old Trafford. The hosts now trail India by 281 runs after dismissing the visitors for 358 earlier in the day.
Duckett remained unbeaten on 46 while Crawley was not out on 33, as the pair capitalized on inconsistent bowling from the Indian attack. Duckett took an aggressive approach early, smashing debutant Anshul Kamboj for four boundaries before glancing Jasprit Bumrah for three more. Crawley joined the charge by punishing loose deliveries from Mohammed Siraj, as both openers found boundaries freely to ensure England ended the second session on a strong note.
Earlier, England captain Ben Stokes claimed his first five-wicket haul in eight years, finishing with figures of 5-72 as India were bowled out in 114.1 overs. Rishabh Pant, batting with a fractured right foot, returned to add 17 runs to his overnight score and reached a valiant 54 off 75 balls—an innings hailed for its courage and resilience. His knock included a six off Jofra Archer and a boundary through cover to bring up his 18th Test fifty, but he was eventually bowled by Archer for the second time in the series.
Washington Sundar added 27 off 90 balls before falling to Chris Woakes, while Kamboj was caught behind off Stokes. Archer finished with 3-75, wrapping up the Indian innings after Bumrah edged behind on review.
Brief Scores:
India 358 in 114.1 overs (B Sai Sudharsan 61, Yashasvi Jaiswal 58; Ben Stokes 5-72, Jofra Archer 3-75)
England 77/0 in 14 overs (Ben Duckett 46, Zak Crawley 33*)*
England trail by 281 runs (Source: IANS)
