• Ben Duckett smashed a tremendous century during England versus Zimbabwe one-off Test.

  • Duckett ton put England in a commanding position of Day 1 of the Trent Bridge Test in Nottingham.

ENG vs ZIM: Fans go wild as Ben Duckett lights up Nottingham with a dazzling century on Day 1 of the one-off Test
Ben Duckett (Image Source: X)

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Ben Duckett set the tone for England’s home summer in sensational fashion, smashing a brilliant century on Day 1 of the one-off four-day Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. The left-handed opener combined flair and fluency to dispatch a hapless Zimbabwe bowling attack, marking the first day of England’s red-ball season with authority and elegance.

Duckett’s innings laid the foundation for a dominant performance by the hosts, as he forged a commanding opening stand with Zak Crawley that left the visitors toiling under the Nottingham sun. The duo remained unbeaten at lunch, compiling 130 runs without much trouble, before Duckett went on to reach three figures in the second session, drawing loud applause from the home crowd. His performance underlined his growing stature as one of England’s premier Test openers, particularly on home soil.

Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley feast on an inexperienced attack from Zimbabwe 

From the very outset, Duckett and Crawley capitalized on a placid Trent Bridge pitch that offered minimal movement for the bowlers. The surface, dry and slow posed few challenges, and Zimbabwe’s inexperienced bowling unit struggled to find rhythm or consistency. Wayward lines and inconsistent lengths allowed the English pair to score freely, and the run rate remained brisk throughout the morning session.

Duckett took the initiative, often stepping out to drive and pull with confidence, while Crawley played the perfect foil, accumulating runs at a steady pace. Their chemistry at the crease was evident as they rotated strike seamlessly and punished any loose deliveries. Zimbabwe’s inability to build pressure through tight spells or challenging lines made life easier for the hosts, and by the time Duckett brought up his hundred, the partnership had already crossed the 200-run mark. The southpaw was eventually dismissed for 140, but by then, he had firmly established England’s grip on the contest.

Duckett’s fifth century in Test cricket for England

Duckett’s century was a masterclass in aggressive yet controlled Test match batting. Having gone into lunch with 75 runs from 71 deliveries, he showed no signs of slowing down, reaching his hundred off exactly 100 balls. His ability to find the boundary with ease — hitting 20 fours and two sixes during his 134-ball stay, ensured that the scoreboard ticked along at a healthy pace.

It was his fifth century in Test cricket, further consolidating his reputation as a dynamic top-order batter. Duckett’s 140 was brought to an end by Wessly Madhevere, but not before he shared a mammoth 231-run stand with Crawley, a partnership that completely deflated Zimbabwe’s hopes of early breakthroughs. His knock was not just about runs; it was a statement of intent for the summer ahead. Duckett, who has often faced scrutiny for his aggressive style, showed once again that his methods can be effective and match-defining in the longest format.

Also READ: ENG vs ZIM 2025: Four-day Test match rules, Trent Bridge Pitch Report and Nottingham Weather Forecast

Career milestones: 2,400 Test runs and a personal best at home

With this innings, Duckett achieved several significant milestones in his Test career. He crossed the 2,400-run mark, finishing the day with 2,410 runs from 33 matches and 61 innings at an impressive average of 41.55. His consistency and adaptability, especially in home conditions, have stood out in recent times.

Notably, Duckett also crossed the 1,000-run landmark in Test matches played in England. In just 13 home Tests (23 innings), he now has 1,007 runs at a stellar average of 47.95, with two centuries and five half-centuries. These numbers underscore his comfort and reliability in familiar conditions, especially when he gets a good start. Additionally, Duckett surpassed the 300 boundary mark in Tests, ending his innings with a tally of 307 fours,  a testament to his ability to pierce the field and keep the pressure on the opposition.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Also READ: Who is Sam Cook? England’s latest debutant in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe

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AMAR PAL SINGH BHALLA
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