ENG vs IRE: Ben Duckett breaks Don Bradman’s 93-year-old Test record

England opener Ben Duckett Don Bradman’s record of scoring the fastest 150 at Lord’s during the one-off Test match against Ireland on Friday, June 2. The Ben Stokes-led side bundled the visitors out for 172 and later wreaked havoc with the bat, taking a lead of 352 runs.

The home team started brilliantly with the bat as Zak Crawley scored 56 runs off 45 to set the platform. Duckett and Ollie Pope later took control as their 252-run partnership completely derailed Ireland. Notably, Duckett eventually hit 182 runs off 178 deliveries and shattered the staggering 93-year-old record set by the legendary Bradman. Interestingly, Bradman took 166 deliveries to reach the milestone while Duckett hit 150 in as many balls.

Other than this, Duckett also became the first cricketer since 1924 to score a century at Lord’s before lunch. After the end of the day’s play, the cricketer opened up about his batting and stated that a hundred in Lord’s is always special. “A hundred at Lord's is special. I know everyone says it, but it hasn't really sunk in yet. Batting with Ollie Pope was a breeze, really enjoyable to be at the other end watching him play,” the 28-year-old said while talking to Sky Sports. 

“It has been a pretty crazy journey for me. I have only played (Tests) abroad, so even fielding here, soaking up the atmosphere, and then scoring a hundred is what I have dreamt of. I am so happy I managed to get there. (This summer) is only going to get harder, it's going to be a tougher summer than this week. For me personally, runs is form and that's what I've been trying to do at the start of the summer for Notts and taking it to here,” Duckett concluded.

Meanwhile, Ollie Pope scored 205off 208 as England posted 524 runs in the first innings.