Nottingham, United Kingdom

England batter Ben Duckett was seen in superb form on Thursday (July 18) as the home side began the post-James Anderson era on a high. Playing in the second Test match at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, Duckett scored the fastest fifty by an English opener in the Test format. The English opener set the tone for the side that can now aim to pocket the series with a win at Trent Bridge while already leading the series 1-0 after winning the Lord’s Test last week.

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Ben Duckett steals the show

Playing on Day 1 of the second Test match on Thursday, Duckett’s impressive form stole the show as he completed his fifty in just 32 balls. The fifty was the fastest by an English opener in the format while he now sits fourth for the fastest fifty overall by a batter. The fifty came in the 10th over of the match as England got off to a brilliant start in the match.

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Fastest Test fifties for England (by balls faced)

28 - Ian Botham vs India, Delhi, 1981

30 - Jonny Bairstow vs New Zealand, Headingley, 2022

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32 - Ian Botham vs New Zealand, The Oval, 1986

32 - Ben Duckett vs West Indies, Trent Bridge, 2024

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Pope takes over

At the time of writing on Day 1, England were 303/5 in 60 overs with Ollie Pope being the star of the show with a superb 121-run innings. His innings consisted of 15 fours and a six . Before Pope, Duckett was the star of the show having scored 71 with the bat off just 59 balls while his other opening partner Zak Crawley was dismissed for a duck.

Harry Brook scored 36 off 34 while Ben Stokes (50) and Jamie Smith (11) were in the middle at the time of writing of his report.