Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett join elite group after blazing stand against India at The Oval

Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett brought up their seventh fifty-plus stand against India on Day 2 of the fifth Test at The Oval, joining an elite list in which they find themselves ahead of former England captains Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss.

Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett got England off to a dream start on Day 2 of the fifth Test against India with a 92-run opening partnership. Reuters

FirstCricket Staff|Aug 02, 2025, 00:06:45 IST

England enjoyed a dream morning session on Day 2 of the fifth Test against India at The Oval. Not only did India lose four wickets for just 20 runs to get bowled out for 224, with Gus Atkinson completing his five-for, openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett later got the hosts off to flier with a typical 'Bazball' start.

Crawley and Duckett, who have had two mammoth partnerships this series – 188 at Headingley and 166 at Old Trafford – stitched together a 92-run opening stand in which they scored at more than seven-an-over! In the process, England's first-choice opening pair achieved a new feat, surpassing legendary batters Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss.

More from Firstcricket

Here's more on Crawley and Duckett's feat, explained in pictures:

Legendary West Indian openers Gordon Greenidge hold the record for most runs by an opening pair against India (1,325) as well as the joint-most fifty-plus stands (8). Image credit: X

England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett stitched together their eighth fifty-plus stand against India and amassed 984 runs against India so far. AP

Former England captans Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss have seven fifty-plus partnerships and a total of 933 runs against India. Reuters

Australia's Bill Lawry and Bob Simpson have seven fifty-plus partnerships and 753 runs against India. Image credit: X

Australia's Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer have seven fifty-plus stands and a total of 714 runs against India. Reuters

Ed Cowan and David Warner, another Aussie pair in this list, had scored 621 runs in 12 outings against India. AFP

Former South Africa captain had scored 616 runs along with Alviro Petersen against India. Reuters

Rohit Sharma finally responds to growing speculation over his India future: 'Let the noise be there'

India ODI opener Rohit Sharma silenced speculation about his future with a record‑breaking performance at Lord’s Cricket Ground. HE became the first Indian cricketer to score an ODI century at the iconic venue.

2 min read

Shubman Gill pins India's loss on death-over lapses after England run riot: 'We gave away lot of runs'

India ODI captain Shubman Gill rued over the team's shortcomings in the third match against England. India suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Three Lions in the one-day series.

1 min read

Rohit shines with historic Lord's ton, but England seal series 2-1

With his back against the wall and an illustrious career on the line, Rohit Sharma silenced his critics the only way he can, smashing one of his most celebrated centuries in recent memory, though it wasn't enough to prevent a 27run defeat in the third ODI against England, as India surrendered the series 12 here Sunday

4 min read

India and England players don black armbands, observe minute's silence at Lord's to honour Sir Garfield Sobers

Players of India and England wore black armbands and held a minute's silence at Lord’s Cricket Ground ahead of the third ODI to honour legendary West Indies all‑rounder Sir Garfield Sobers.

1 min read

India coach shrugs off Rohit Sharma form woes amid speculation on ODI future: 'He brings that calmness'

India bowling coach Morne Morkel shrugged off any form-related concern over former India his captain Rohit Sharma after he failed to put up impactful knocks in past two matches.