Ben Duckett: England’s Game‑Changer at Headingley

Ben Duckett’s sublime 149 at Headingley puts England on top in India Test. Explore stats, records, fan reactions and what made his knock special.

What Happened at Headingley?

• On Day 5 of the first Test at Headingley, Ben Duckett scored a brilliant 149, anchoring England in a chase of 371 against India lmtonline.com+15theguardian.com+15timesofindia.indiatimes.com+15.
• He and Zak Crawley posted a record 188‑run opening partnership—the best for England in a fourth‑innings chase at Headingley thetelegraph.com+8sports.ndtv.com+8republicworld.com+8.
• Duckett’s knock is now the highest individual score in a successful fourth‑innings chase against India en.wikipedia.org+1timesofindia.indiatimes.com+1.

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📊 Key Stats & Records

• 149 off 170 balls, featuring audacious reverse sweeps and 21 boundaries skysports.com+15apnews.com+15thetimes.co.uk+15.
• Sixth Test century and second vs India reuters.com+10apnews.com+10cricket.one+10.
• One of only two English openers in 30 years (after Alastair Cook) to hit 50+ in both innings at Headingley apnews.com+5republicworld.com+5timesofindia.indiatimes.com+5.
• Part of the fifth-highest fourth‑innings opening stand in Test history for England thecricketgazette.com+15apnews.com+15thetelegraph.com+15.

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Fans & Experts React

Social media reactions have been overwhelming:

“Ben Duckett brings up a sensational century in the 4th innings… One of the finest knocks of his Test career.” jerseyeveningpost.com+14sportskeeda.com+14cricket.one+14

Cricket pundits are hailing him as “the best all‑format opener in the world” following this knock sportskeeda.com.

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What Makes This Knock Special?

1. Calm under pressure – In a nail-biting chase, Duckett absorbed the Indian attack.
2. Bazball aggression – Combining fearless intent with calculated shot‑making.
3. Game-changing opening stand – His partnership with Crawley created a platform for victory.
4. Personal redemption – From past controversies to redemptive performances, his maturity shines through en.wikipedia.org+10crictoday.com+10tribuneindia.com+10business-standard.comtheweek.in+3thetelegraph.com+3reuters.com+3.

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Duckett’s Wider Career Snapshot

• Debuted for England in 2016; plays all formats hindustantimes.com.
• Domestic powerhouse: Northamptonshire → Nottinghamshire; PCA awards winner with stellar county records .
• Strong red‑ball record under Brendon McCullum’s Bazball revolution theguardian.com+15thecricketgazette.com+15business-standard.com+15.
• Played pivotal roles: T20 Blast, T20 World Cup 2024, Champions Trophy record 165 vs Australia