Headingley heroics as England chase down huge target

BEN Duckett's triumphant 149 guided England to another round of Headingley heroics as they completed a wonderful chase to down India by five wickets in the first Test.

- By RORY DOLLARD

Yorkshire's headquarters have witnessed some outrageous spectacles over the years, with Ashes classics in 1981, 2019 and 2023, and England chalked up another as they knocked off a massive target of 371 late on day five.

That was their second highest pursuit ever - seven shy of the 378 they made against the same opposition at Edgbaston three years ago - as well as the 10th largest of all time.

Duckett was their inspiration, leading a superb opening stand of 188 with Zak Crawley (65) and going on to a sixth Test hundred to take complete control. Only one Englishman has scored more in a fourth-innings win, Mark Butcher's unbeaten 173 at the same ground in 2001.

With Duckett's work done, Joe Root's 53 not out and an unbeaten 44 from Jamie Smith wrapped things up - the latter smashing two big sixes to finish in style with 14 overs still available.

India, meanwhile, must ponder how they became the first team to lose a Test having scored five individual centuries.

In collapsing from 430 for three in the first innings and 333 for four in the second, they were recklessly complicit in their own downfall.

Add in a handful of dropped catches - including Duckett on 97 - and they may reflect that they only have themselves to blame.