Ben Duckett says he was “gutted” to miss out on an Ashes century at Lord’s, but insists he has not regret over the shot that saw him fall two runs short of the landmark.
The opener helped England make a strong start in reply to Australia’s first innings score of 416, sharing an opening stand of 91 with Zak Crawley, England’s best in Ashes cricket in more than a decade.
While Crawley was out stumped to Nathan Lyon before tea, Duckett continued in fine style until being caught in the deep by David Warner when within one blow of three figures.
"It’s weird obviously because at the start of the day I’d have been over the moon if I was offered 98,” Duckett said. “Falling so close to scoring three figures here at Lord’s I’m obviously gutted about that but I’m really happy with how I played throughout the innings, I thought it was certainly my best innings in an England shirt.”
The Nottinghamshire batter was, along with Joe Root and Ollie Pope, one of three players to fall in quick succession trying to take on Australia’s short-ball plan, before a fifty partnership between Harry Brook and Ben Stokes steadied England to 278 for four at the close.
“No not at all,” Duckett said, when asked whether he regretted his dismissal. “I’d have been gutted in myself if I’d have gone into my shell and gone away from it and gloved onto the keeper behind.
“To be honest for three or four overs leading up to that I felt so comfortable just hitting it down to fine leg or the man just behind square for one.
“10 meters either side of him there and I’ve got 100. I’d only have been disappointed if I’d have gone away from my natural game and it’s a shot that I play and it’s a shot that I’ve scored plenty of runs over my career doing so I’m not happy I got out, but I’d rather get out like that.”
England will resume 138 runs shy of Australia’s first innings total, with the tourists sweating over the fitness of Lyon, who limped off with a calf problem and will be assessed overnight.
“I haven’t been up in the sheds yet, but obviously it didn’t look good,” Smith said. “He doesn’t look like he’ll play the rest of game but I’m not sure how he is. If he’s no good, it’s obviously a big loss for us.
“It was his 100th consecutive Test match and I know he was looking to play big part. Fingers crossed he’s okay but it didn’t look good.”
