West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite sent England in, and Duckett’s partner opener Zak Crawley was out of the game after just the third ball.

Nevertheless, Ben Stokes’ team nevertheless made history by reaching 50 in just 4.2 overs, the fastest ever for a side in a Test match.

Consequently, following five Test overs, this was also the highest total ever.

On his home ground in Nottinghamshire, left-hander Duckett spearheaded the counterattack with an innings of 59 balls that included 56 runs from boundaries, including 14 fours.

But just before lunch, Duckett was out after edging a good-length ball from Shamar Joseph to second slip, where the towering all-rounder advanced and Jason Holder made a brilliant low catch.

Ollie Pope and him shared a partnership of 105 runs in 19 overs before his departure.

The vice-captain of England then lofted Shamar Joseph high over long leg to strike the first six of the innings.

However, Pope ought to have been out when Alick Athanaze dropped a square-cut off Jayden Seales shortly before the half.

Joe Root was undefeated on 13 and Pope was 47 not out at lunch.

Given that his team had lost the opening Test at Lord’s by an innings and 114 runs the previous week, Brathwaite’s choice to field after winning the toss was reasonable.

On Thursday, it took the West Indies just three balls to make their first breakthrough. Crawley eveyed a superb delivery from Alzarri Joseph low to third slip, where Athanaze, diving, held a fantastic catch.

However, in a second over that cost 19 runs overall, Duckett—whose partner is shortly to give birth—took the attack straight back to the West Indies, hitting quick bowler Seales for four fours in a row.

Holder joined the assault but was unable to stop Duckett’s runs from flowing, as the former West Indies skipper was cover- and straight-driven for two more decisive boundaries.

With one Test remaining, England is aiming for a victory that would seal the three-match series.

© 2024 AFP