Follow UsZak Crawley and Ben Duckett added 166 runs for the opening wicket on Day 2 of the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford, Manchester. With this effort, they have become the third-most prolific opening pair against India in Test cricket.
Crawley and Duckett have now accumulated 892 runs across 17 innings at an average of 52.5, including five 50-plus stands and two partnerships exceeding 150 runs.
Only two opening pairs have scored more runs against India in Tests:
Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes - 1325 runs @ 45.7
Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss - 933 runs @ 46.6
After India were bowled out for 358, Duckett came out aggressively, taking the attack to Jasprit Bumrah and Co. The left-hander raced to 26 off 23 balls even before Crawley opened his account in the seventh over.
Crawley was on 8 off 24 deliveries at one stage before accelerating, scoring 76 runs off the next 88 balls. He eventually made 84 off 113 before edging Ravindra Jadeja to first slip.
Meanwhile, Duckett became Anshul Kamboj's first Test victim after scoring 94 off 100 deliveries.
8 – Gordon Greenidge & Desmond Haynes
7* – Zak Crawley & Ben Duckett
7 – Alastair Cook & Andrew Strauss
7 – Matthew Hayden & Justin Langer
7 – Bill Lawry & Bob Simpson
Geoffrey Cook & Chris Tavaré – 106 (1982)
Michael Atherton & Graham Gooch – 225 (1990)
Zak Crawley & Ben Duckett – 104* (2025)
3 – Michael Atherton & Graham Gooch (India tour of England, 1990)
2 – Graeme Fowler & Tim Robinson (England tour of India, 1985)
2 – Zak Crawley & Ben Duckett (India tour of England, 2025)*