Duckett gets England off to fast start

Hosts 134-2 at lunch on the first day of 2nd Test against West Indies

FE Team | Published: July 25, 2024 20:01:10

NOTTINGHAM, England, July 18 (AFP): Ben Duckett's quick-fire 71 ensured England made a rapid start to the second Test against the West Indies at Trent Bridge, with the hosts racing to 134-2 at lunch on Thursday's first day.
England, sent in by West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite, lost Duckett's fellow opener Zak Crawley to just the third ball of the match.
But Ben Stokes' side still surged to 50 in a mere 4.2 overs -- the quickest a side have reached that total in a Test match.
As a result, this was also the highest total after five overs of a Test.
Left-hander Duckett, on his Nottinghamshire home ground, led the counter-attack with a 59-ball innings featuring 56 runs in boundaries, courtesy of 14 fours.
Duckett, however, was out shortly before lunch, edging a good-length ball from Shamar Joseph to second slip, where Jason Holder held a fine low catch as the towering all-rounder moved forward.
His exit ended a second-wicket partnership of 105 in 19 overs with Ollie Pope.
The England vice-captain then hit the first six of the match when he lofted Shamar Joseph high over long leg.
Pope, though, should have been out just before the interval when a square-cut off Jayden Seales was dropped by Alick Athanaze.
Pope was 47 not out at lunch, with Joe Root unbeaten on 13.
Brathwaite's decision to field after winning the toss was understandable given his side had been dismissed for just 121 and 136 during an innings and 114-run defeat in the first Test at Lord's last week.
It took West Indies just three balls to strike on Thursday, with Crawley edging an excellent delivery from Alzarri Joseph low to third slip, where a diving Athanaze held a fine catch.