Ben Stokes’ first five-wicket haul in eight years and a dizzying opening partnership gave England much the better of the second day of the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford.
Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett flayed some wayward India bowling at a rate of more than five an over in their stand of 166, taking a huge chunk out of the tourists’ 358.
For Crawley, 84 on the ground he made his career-highlight 189 against Australia two years ago was a welcome contribution. Duckett, the premier opener in the world, crunched 94.
Though they fell in the space of two overs, Ollie Pope and Joe Root were able to take England to 225-2, 133 behind.
Stokes claimed three of the six India wickets to fall on Thursday to end with 5-72, while Jofra Archer continued his comeback with 3-73.
England were superb with the ball, though they were partly held up by the bravery of Rishabh Pant.
Pant retired on day one with a suspected broken foot after being struck by Chris Woakes. In scenes of high drama, he hobbled down the stairs to resume his innings on 37 and nudged his way to 54 before Archer spectacularly uprooted his off stump.
Pant is not keeping wicket and India are yet to confirm his injury. It seems likely he will bat in the second innings, when the visitors look set for a battle to stay in the series.
