New Delhi: Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley’s composed half centuries put England in a comfortable position at 225/2, 133 runs behind India’s first innings total of 358 at stumps on the second day of the fourth Test in Manchester on Thursday.
Duckett (94) and Crawley (84) added 166 runs for the opening wicket to provide a solid platform, on which overnight batters Joe Root (11 batting) and Ollie Pope (20batting) would look to build on the third day.
The two English openers had the listless Indian bowlers at mercy, scoring at over five runs an over till they were dismissed against the run of play.
Just when it looked like India would toil away wicketless, Crawley edged Ravindra Jadeja (1/37) to KL Rahul’s hands at first slips. Just over six overs later, Duckett too perished when least expected as he top edged to hand Anshul Kamboj (1/48) his maiden Test wicket.