London, Aug 1 (UNI) England responded to India’s first-innings 224 with an all-out batting onslaught, led by Zak Crawley’s blazing half-century and Ben Duckett’s audacious strokeplay, as the hosts reached 109/1 in just 16 overs by lunch on Day 2 of the fifth Test at Trent Bridge.
India, resuming at 204/6, lost their remaining four wickets for just 20 runs in a frenetic collapse that lasted under 30 minutes. Karun Nair, who had fought valiantly for his 57 (109 balls, 8×4), was trapped LBW by Josh Tongue early in the morning session. Washington Sundar followed soon after, miscuing a pull off Gus Atkinson to deep square leg for 26.
The carnage continued as Mohammed Siraj was bowled by Atkinson for a duck, beaten by late inward movement that breached a big bat-pad gap. Prasidh Krishna lasted just two balls, nicking behind off another classic outswinger from Atkinson, who completed a superb five-wicket haul. India folded for 224 in 69.4 overs, with Atkinson finishing with figures of 5/33.
What followed was a batting exhibition straight out of the Brendon McCullum playbook. Duckett and Crawley tore into the Indian bowling, racing to 50 in just 42 balls. Duckett reversed-scooped Akash Deep for six and unfurled a flurry of boundaries through cover and point. Crawley matched him stroke for stroke, lofting, pulling, and driving with authority.
England brought up their 100 in just 14.4 overs, Crawley reaching his 19th Test fifty — his third of the series — off just 42 balls, with 12 fours. The stand was finally broken at 92 when Akash Deep, after being tonked for boundaries, got Duckett (43 off 38, 5×4, 2×6) with a sharp delivery that nicked the bat as Duckett attempted a reverse scoop. The young pacer celebrated in animated fashion, with a fist pump near the departing batsman and a brief moment of tension that saw senior teammate KL Rahul step in to diffuse.
Crawley remained unbeaten on 52 at lunch, joined by Ollie Pope on 12, as England trailed by just 115 runs with nine wickets in hand.
With England’s Bazball juggernaut in full swing and India’s bowlers searching for answers, the second session promises more high-octane cricket at The Oval.
