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Siraj Clashes With Duckett After England’s Bizarre Antics Spark Tense Standoff

Headingley Test Day 5 Lunch Report: Siraj-Duckett Tension, England Openers Break 75-Year Record

Leeds [UK], June 24 : Day 5 of the 1st Test between India and England at Headingley witnessed high drama and a fiery exchange between Mohammed Siraj and Ben Duckett, right before the Lunch break, even as the English openers etched their names in history books with a record-breaking partnership.

Siraj-Duckett Clash Heats Up Final Session

With India desperate for a breakthrough in the final over before Lunch, Siraj charged in for what could’ve been the last delivery of the session. However, Zak Crawley pulled out, citing movement behind the sightscreen.

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Notably, veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle remarked on-air that there was no visible movement, implying that Crawley was deliberately wasting time—a tactic to ensure Lunch would be called before India could bowl another over. His strategy worked, and umpires called for the break, much to Siraj’s frustration. The pacer exchanged words with Duckett, who stood at the non-striker’s end, intensifying the moment.

England’s Fiery Opening Stand: Duckett & Crawley Rewrite History

In pursuit of a mammoth 371-run target, England went into Lunch at 117/0, still 254 runs away but having established solid momentum.

Ben Duckett stood tall at 64 (not out)*
Zak Crawley remained unbeaten on 42 (not out)*
Their 96-run first session lifted the mood in the English camp and broke a 75-year-old record.

The opening partnership of 117 became the highest 4th-innings opening stand at Headingley, surpassing the 112-run stand by New Zealand’s Verdun Scott and Bert Sutcliffe back in 1949.

India’s Mixed Bowling Bag

While Jasprit Bumrah provided the only moment of genuine brilliance with a sharp off-cutter that beat Duckett’s bat, India’s support pacers struggled:

Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Shardul Thakur were inconsistent, offering too many loose deliveries.
England’s openers capitalized with cuts, drives, and pulls, particularly feasting on anything short or overpitched.

Key Stats at Lunch, Day 5:

England: 117/0
Target: 371
Runs needed: 254
Session runs: 96 (0 wickets)
Record: Highest 4th-innings opening stand at Headingley

With the match finely poised and the pitch offering little help, the final two sessions promise gripping cricket, especially if India’s bowlers can’t rediscover their rhythm.

Srishty Mishra