Ben Duckett Joins Alastair Cook in Rare Headingley Test Feat with Twin Half-Centuries Against India

Ben Duckett etched his name into England’s Test history books at Headingley, becoming only the second English opener in three decades—after Sir Alastair Cook—to register 50-plus scores in both innings of a Test match at the iconic venue.

Facing India in the opening Test of the series, Duckett delivered a commanding performance that combined technical composure with aggressive intent. His efforts began with a composed 62 off 94 balls in the first innings, where he neutralized the early threat posed by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Though his knock came to an end when Bumrah breached his defence, Duckett had already laid the foundation for England’s strong start.

It was in the fourth innings, however, that Duckett truly stood apart. Under overcast skies and with rain looming over Leeds, he counterattacked with flair, racing into the 90s in no time. His approach unsettled the Indian bowling unit, led by captain Shubman Gill, and exposed lapses in the visitors’ fielding.

Duckett’s century moment came with drama. On 97, he went for an aerial pull, only to see it land directly in the hands of Yashasvi Jaiswal—who had already dropped three chances earlier in the match. The fielder’s misjudgment handed Duckett a life he would not waste. Shortly after, Duckett sealed his ton in emphatic fashion, unleashing a reverse sweep that sped to the boundary, before celebrating with a leaping fist pump that electrified the Headingley crowd.

This remarkable innings not only marked Duckett’s first-ever second-innings century in Test cricket, but also the first by an England opener in a fourth innings since Cook’s unbeaten 109 against Bangladesh in Mirpur in 2010.

Duckett’s twin performances were a testament to his adaptability and confidence at the top of the order—qualities that England have long sought in an opener. His milestone also came in the context of a high-stakes series, lending greater weight to his achievement as England look to assert dominance over a strong Indian side.