• Home
  • Cricket Analysis
  • Ben Duckett Surpasses Graham Gooch To Record Fastest Test Hundred For England Against India

Ben Duckett Surpasses Graham Gooch To Record Fastest Test Hundred For England Against India

image-lsom9oubBen Duckett [AP]

England opener Ben Duckett smashed the third century of his Test career at Niranjan Shah Stadium on Saturday. The southpaw reached the milestone after scoring a boundary against Mohammed Siraj on the fifth ball of the 26th over. 

The Indian pacer bowled a half volley, and Duckett drove that wide of mid-on for a four, followed by a roaring celebration. His century came off just 86 deliveries, including 19 fours and 1 six. 

It is worth mentioning that this is the fastest Test hundred by any England player against India in Test cricket. Earlier, the record was held by Graham Gooch, who reached the milestone in 95 deliveries against India at Lord's Cricket Ground in 1990. 

On a pitch that doesn't have a lot of help for the bowlers, Ben Duckett tormented both the spinners and pacers. He demonstrated his wide array of strokes and looked absolutely pleasant throughout his knock. 

His strike rate of over 130 is a testament to how he put Indian bowlers under pressure on day 2 of the Test match. 


England restrict India to 445 in the first innings

Earlier, England bowled well in the first two sessions to restrict India to 445 before Tea. On a flat pitch, Jadeja played a terrific knock of 112 off 225, including nine fours and two sixes. It was James Anderson who took the first wicket of the day. He sent Kuldeep Yadav back with the new ball, and it was followed by Jadeja's wicket in the very next over. 

India, as a result, slipped to 331 for seven as England looked to bundle out India as quickly as possible. However, Ravichandran Ashwin then joined hands with Dhruv Jurel and the duo put on a 77-run partnership for the eighth wicket. 

Just as they looked to convert their starts into big scores, both lost their wickets. Ashwin got off off Rehan Ahmed for 37, while Jurel got out caught behind off Rehan for 46 off 104 balls. 

Jasprit Bumrah’s crucial 26-run knock helped India reach 445 at the end of the first innings. The Indian bowlers, however, haven't been able to apply any pressure in the final session. At the time of writing, England have managed to score 177 runs for the loss of a solitary wicket.