England opener Ben Duckett has shed light on the team’s tactical approach to neutralize India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah during the ongoing third Test at Headingley, emphasizing the importance of a positive mindset and strike rotation.
Duckett, who stitched a crucial 122-run partnership with Ollie Pope after the early dismissal of Zak Crawley, credited their success to staying mentally sharp and capitalizing on loose deliveries.
“When you’ve got someone bowling as well as Bumrah is, you have to find ways to score at the other end and keep the pressure on them,” Duckett told Sky Sports.
🏏 England’s Tactical Blueprint
- Stay Positive: Duckett and Pope focused on supporting each other and maintaining intent, even under pressure
- Target Other Bowlers: With Bumrah in top form, England looked to score off India’s second-string pacers
- Strike Rotation: The duo rotated strike effectively to disrupt Bumrah’s rhythm and avoid prolonged exposure
Despite eventually falling to Bumrah for 62, Duckett’s composed innings helped England recover from an early setback. Pope went on to score a century, putting the hosts in a strong position by stumps on Day 2.
🔥 Bumrah’s Lone Spark
Bumrah claimed all three wickets to fall on the day—Crawley, Duckett, and Root—while the rest of India’s bowling attack struggled to make an impact. His fiery opening spell and relentless accuracy kept England on their toes throughout.
Stay tuned for Day 3 updates from Headingley.
