Ben Stokes Insists Leaving Rehan Ahmed Out Of Third Test Was Never Considered
Opener Ben Duckett smashed an 88-ball hundred to lead England’s robust reply to India’s first innings total of 445 on day two of the third test in Rajkot on Friday. The opener’s 133 not out off 118 balls, which contained two sixes and 21 fours, powered England to 207-2 at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
Ravichandran Ashwin became the second Indian bowler, after Anil Kumble, to claim 500 test wickets but it was otherwise a day of hard toil for India as England scored nearly at a run-a-ball rate. Joe Root was batting on nine at stumps with England trailing India by 238 in the third match of the five-test series, which remains poised at 1-1. Earlier, debutant Dhruv Jurel (46) and Ashwin (37) mounted a spirited rearguard while Jasprit Bumrah (26) provided a late cameo to take India near the 450-mark. After India resumed on 326-5, James Anderson removed Thursday’s nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav, caught behind for four. Ravindra Jadeja, who completed his fourth test hundred on day one, looked surprisingly tentative and gave a return catch to bowler Root to depart after 112, which included two sixes and nine fours.
Ashwin and Jurel frustrated England with their 77-run partnership and survived Mark Wood’s short-ball barrage with a heavily-manned leg side. England were rather sloppy on the field and Jurel was dropped twice, first by Ollie Pope at midwicket and then by England captain Ben Stokes at leg slip. Rehan Ahmed denied Jurel a fifty in the batter’s debut test and Wood (4-114) dismissed Bumrah, who was the last Indian wicket to fall. The tourists began their innings 5-0 after India were penalised five runs for Ashwin’s run on the protected area down the middle of the pitch. Duckett initially looked ill at ease against Mohammed Siraj’s lively pace but he soon grew in confidence, which was obvious in the way he treated the Indian spinners. He raced to a 39-ball fifty but lost opening partner Zak Crawley. Crawley attempted a sweep shot against Ashwin only to top-edge the ball to Rajat Patidar at short fine leg. Ashwin became the ninth bowler, and fifth spinner, to take 500 test wickets. Duckett deflated the Indian attack batting with the kind of aggression which has become the hallmark of the team under Stokes. The 29-year-old brought up his third test hundred with a four off Siraj. Siraj lifted India’s sagging morale late in the final session when he trapped Pope lbw for 39. The batter was initially adjudged not out but the decision was overturned on review.
“Five hundred wickets is done and dusted now. We’ve got a game hanging in the balance,” Ashwin said afterwards. The game is going neck and neck. We’ll have to bat and bowl well to stay in the game.”
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Magnificent Ben Duckett shows England’s key to victory in India with unbeaten century
Ben Duckett’s terrific unbeaten century led England’s fightback against India as he repelled even Ravichandran Ashwin on the day the off-spinning great celebrated his 500th Test wicket.
India racked up an imposing 445 in Rajkot, aided by some slipshod England fielding, but Duckett’s boundary-laden 133 not out off just 118 deliveries rocketed the tourists to 207 for two after day two of this third Test.
Duckett’s first iteration as a Test cricketer met its demise in India after he was tormented by Ashwin in November 2016 but he laid any ghosts to rest with a classy innings, reaching his ton off 88 balls.
It was the quickest by an Englishman in India as he swept the spinners to distraction in the final session as well as driving and cutting the quicks with regularity, collecting 21 fours and two sixes.
Jack Rathborn16 February 2024 13:03
India vs England
FOUR! Ravichandran Ashwin to Joe Root. Off break full toss, off stump on the front foot driving, well timed past deep cover for 4 runs.
India vs England
Ravichandran Ashwin to Ben Duckett. Off break half volley, middle stump on the front foot working, mis-timed to mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Khan.
India vs England
APPEAL! Ravichandran Ashwin to Ben Duckett. Off break length ball, down leg side on the front foot working, hit pad to first slip for no runs, fielded by Sharma, appeal made for L.B.W.
India vs England
Ravichandran Ashwin to Joe Root. Off break half volley, middle stump on the front foot working, to deep square leg for 1 run, fielded by Jaiswal.
India vs England
Ravichandran Ashwin to Ben Duckett. Off break half volley, outside off stump on the front foot driving, mis-timed to deep backward point for 1 run, fielded by Jaiswal.
India vs England
Mohammed Siraj to Ben Duckett. Reverse Swing-In back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot glancing, to fine leg for 1 run, fielded by Yadav.
India vs England
Mohammed Siraj to Ben Duckett. Reverse Swing-In length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, mis-timed to mid on for no runs, fielded by Bumrah.
India vs England
Mohammed Siraj to Ben Duckett. Reverse Swing-In length ball, off stump on the front foot working, hit pad to gully for no runs, fielded by Khan.
India vs England
Mohammed Siraj to Ben Duckett. Reverse Swing-In back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot pushing, to mid on for no runs, fielded by Bumrah.
