Stokes Stars with Five-For as England Dominate Day Two Against India

Fourth Rothesay Test, Old Trafford – Day Two
India 358 (Sudharsan 61, Jaiswal 58, Pant 54; Stokes 5-72, Archer 3-73)
England 225-2 (Duckett 94, Crawley 84)
England trail by 133 runs

Ben Stokes produced his first five-wicket haul in eight years as England seized control of the fourth Test against India on day two at Old Trafford.

Backed by a blistering opening partnership between Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, England raced to 225-2 in response to India’s 358, narrowing the deficit to just 133 runs with eight wickets in hand.

Crawley, returning to the ground where he scored a career-best 189 against Australia in 2023, struck 84, while Duckett continued his impressive form with a fluent 94, dominating India’s attack with typically aggressive strokeplay.

Earlier in the day, Stokes tore through India’s lower order with figures of 5-72, supported by Jofra Archer’s 3-73. It was Stokes’ first five-for since 2016, a performance that not only underlined his return to full bowling fitness but also took him to a series-leading 16 wickets.

India resumed on 264-4 and were immediately put under pressure by the second new ball. Archer struck early, removing Ravindra Jadeja with a fine delivery that found the edge, brilliantly caught by Harry Brook in the slips. But it was Stokes who did most of the damage, taking three key wickets across a ten-over spell that spanned the lunch break.

Rishabh Pant, who had retired hurt on day one after being hit on the foot by Chris Woakes, returned to the crease in dramatic fashion. Hobbled by injury and wearing a protective boot before changing into his whites, Pant battled through obvious discomfort to add a crucial 17 runs, bringing his total to 54 before Archer uprooted his off stump with a stunning delivery.

Pant’s brave return lit up the morning session, but India’s total, once promising, soon looked modest in the face of England’s counterattack.

Duckett and Crawley launched into the Indian bowling with controlled aggression, punishing anything straying in line or length. The pair added 166 for the first wicket at over five runs an over, dismantling a bowling attack that included Jasprit Bumrah and debutant Anshul Kamboj.

Crawley was eventually dismissed by Jadeja, edging to slip, while Duckett fell just shy of a century when he cut Kamboj to the wicketkeeper, granting the young seamer his first Test scalp.

Despite the late losses, Ollie Pope and Joe Root saw England safely to stumps, and with the pitch expected to deteriorate, the hosts are well-placed to push for victory and wrap up the series.

‘Pitch will get tougher’ – Crawley

Reflecting on the day, Zak Crawley told TMS: “We’re in a really strong position. I felt good at the crease and enjoyed batting with Ducky, he’s a phenomenal player and keeps the energy high. We’re just focused on building a lead tomorrow, because this pitch will only get harder to bat on.”

With three days still to play, England now have a golden opportunity to turn their dominant position into a match and potentially series winning advantage.