NOTTINGHAM, England (AFP) — Ben Duckett’s back-to-back scores of 71 gave England a robust start to the second Test against the West Indies at Trent Bridge, leading to a score of 134-2 at lunch on the opening day, Thursday.
Invited to bat by West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite, England faced an early setback as opener Zak Crawley was dismissed on the third ball of the match. Despite this, Ben Stokes’ side achieved fifty runs in just 4.2 overs, setting a new record for the fastest team fifty in Test cricket.
Duckett spearheaded the recovery, scoring 56 off 59 balls, including 14 fours, on his home ground for Nottinghamshire. His dismissal just before lunch, caught at second slip off a Shamar Joseph delivery, ended a crucial second-wicket stand of 105 runs with Ollie Pope.
Duckett’s wicket fell after he edged a good-length ball to second slip where Jason Holder took a brilliant low catch. Ollie Pope, on 47 not out, was accompanied by Joe Root, on 13 not out, at the break.
Pope had a close call just before lunch when Aric Athanadze dropped a square-cut ball off Jayden Shields. However, Pope managed to stay at the crease and continue building the innings.
Brathwaite’s decision to field first was influenced by West Indies’ heavy defeat in the first Test at Lord’s, where they lost by 114 runs, with innings totals of just 121 and 136. The West Indies quickly found success on Thursday, dismissing Crawley after just three balls when he was caught at third slip by a diving Athanadze off Alzarri Joseph.
Duckett’s aggressive start, including consecutive fours off fast bowler Shields in the second over, helped England recover. Duckett further punished the West Indies’ bowling attack with boundaries off Jason Holder, who was brought into the attack to curb the scoring.
England aims to secure a series win with one Test remaining in the three-match series.
