England batter Ben Duckett has responded to criticism from former Middlesex seamer turned broadcaster and journalist Simon Hughes following his dismissal in the first ODI against South Africa.
As England fell to a disappointing 27-run defeat, Duckett was caught behind off Anrich Nortje for just three after flashing at a wide one. And Hughes highlighted this dismissal as a reason why he should not open for England in this summer's Ashes.
Duckett was recalled by England for their tour of Pakistan in December and the 28-year-old enjoyed a prolific series, scoring 357 runs at an average of 71.40. He now looks set to be given an extended run at the top of the order and will be hoping to impress in much more challenging conditions in New Zealand in February ahead of the Ashes.
However, there have been suggestions Duckett is not best suited to opening in Test cricket and Hughes evidently agrees, having tweeted a clip of Duckett's dismissal with the caption: "Possible evidence here why @BenDuckett1 might not be the best choice to open in the Ashes".
Having tagged Duckett in the tweet, the England star replied "Sorry, Simon! I'll leave it next time" along with a laughing emoji. Hughes then responded: "decent ball to be fair! btw I did say 'open' not 'play.' Opening in the Ashes (in England in June) is the impossible job. #seamandswing".
And after Duckett told a fan who joked he was not meant to see the tweet that "if you tag someone, you want them to see it," Hughes apologised. "I don't think like that actually," he wrote. "But apologies it was a bit of a harsh assessment. You played brilliantly in Pakistan".
Several cricketers past and present also weighed in, with 2005 Ashes winner Simon Jones tweeting: "Totally disagree with you Simon. He's absolute quality."
"Simon he's playing white ball cricket here mate," added former England all-rounder and Duckett's Nottinghamshire teammate Samit Patel. "Can you explain how your point is valid. Test cricket is played with a red ball."
"Arguably every dismissal could be used to say that the person getting out should never play in any game ever again," wrote Duckett's former teammate Chris Nash.
