New Delhi: England scored the fastest half century by a team in Test cricket history, taking only 26 balls against the West Indies in the opening day of the second match in Nottingham on Thursday.
Opener Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope struck 10 boundaries between them as England bettered their own mark of 27 balls against South Africa at The Oval in 1994.
England now occupy the top three spots in fastest fifties in Test cricket, having also taken the third spot wit 30 balls against Sri Lanka in Manchester in 2002.
Sri Lanka are fourth, having taken 5.2 overs against Pakistan in Karachi in 2004 while India stand fifth with two opening stands of 50 in 33 balls — against England in Chennai in 2008 and against the West Indies in Port of Spain in 2023.
England lost the toss and were sent into bat, quickly losing Zak Crawley (0) to Alzarri Joseph on the third ball of the match.
Sailing into the stands ⛵️
🙌 @OPope32 pic.twitter.com/efjl1ZluXQ
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 18, 2024
From then on, Duckett (33 off 14 balls) and Pope (16 not out off 9 balls) set the tone with a belligerent display of their much talked about ‘Bazball’, which has been coined by the British media for their aggressive top order batting.
England set the record with a boundary off Joseph by Duckett, who punched a length ball in front of square to the left of the point fielder.
Duckett later reached his fifty in 32 balls, making the fastest 50 by an opener in the five-day format.
Fastest team 50s in Tests:
4.2 – England vs WI, Nottingham, 2024
4.3 – England vs SA, The Oval, 1994
4.6 – England vs SL, Manchester, 2002
5.2 – Sri Lanka vs PAK, Karachi, 2004
5.3 – India vs ENG, Chennai, 2008
5.3 – India vs WI, Port of Spain, 2023
Duckett in destruction mode 🫣
Catch up on an incredible morning for England in Nottingham 📺👇
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 18, 2024
Opener Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope struck 10 boundaries between them as England bettered their own mark of 27 balls against South Africa at The Oval in 1994. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
