In what seemed like ideal batting conditions, Kraigg Brathwaite won the toss in Nottingham and surprisingly chose to bowl first under the bright sun.
The West Indies skipper’s decision initially seemed vindicated when Zak Crawley edged Alzarri Joseph for a three-ball duck. However, this early hope quickly vanished, thanks to some brilliant boundary-hitting by the other opener, Ben Duckett.
Duckett, the diminutive southpaw, began his innings in the second over, facing an ominous wide from Jayden Seales. This set the tone for what was to come. Seales’s first legitimate delivery was a juicy half-volley, which Duckett drove exquisitely through the covers.
Seales then pulled his length back but continued to offer width, allowing Duckett to crack a half-tracker through point. Under pressure, Seales switched his game plan and bowled straight, only to veer onto Duckett’s pads, leading to another wristy flick for four.
A repeat of the first ball ended the loop of boundaries, with Duckett scoring an astonishing 16 off four deliveries, leaving Seales distraught.
Back-to-back-to-back-to-back boundaries 😍
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 18, 2024
🔥 @BenDuckett1 pic.twitter.com/9IqzPtdwra
At the time of writing, Duckett had raced to 40 off 24 deliveries, helping England achieve the fastest team 50 in Test history in just 4.2 overs, sending Twitter into a frenzy.