Fresh from sweeping Pakistan to distraction during England’s recent Twenty20 series win in Pakistan, Ben Duckett is now eyeing a return to the country before Christmas to play the format that sits “right at the top” of his ambitions.
Duckett missed out on England’s T20 World Cup campaign but will be among those under consideration when a touring party is chosen by Rob Key’s selection panel next week. The 27-year-old is, it should be noted, a much-matured player since a struggle against India’s Ravichandran Ashwin during his last stab at Test cricket six winters ago.
Duckett is clearly close, having been called up for the last Test of England’s buccaneering summer when Jonny Bairstow broke his leg on the golf course. It was Harry Brook who got the nod to face South Africa but Duckett’s 1,012 championship runs at 72 for Nottinghamshire this year – plus an ability to bat in the top three – further underline his status as the next cab off the oft-cited rank.
“Without sounding too arrogant, I think my record in red-ball cricket speaks for itself,” said Duckett, speaking at this week’s cinch Professional Cricketers’ Association Awards in London. “I’m at an age now where, to give myself the best [chance], I know where I’m going to hit the ball and I know the options I’m going to take.”
A pugnacious left-hander who credits franchise cricket with taking his game to the next level, Duckett is also encouraged by the England Test side’s new aggressive approach under Ben Stokes and the head coach, Brendon McCullum; in the past he tended to bat within himself in first-class cricket under a belief that a lower strike-rate was desirable.
Duckett said: “I probably put pressure on myself in years gone by. But this summer I saw the Test side and in my head I thought: ‘I’m facing a spinner here, why am I not whacking him everywhere?’ In previous years I’ve probably been trying to show my strike rate could be a bit lower.”
The make-up of the batting options in England’s Test squad will hinge on whether the extensive faith in Alex Lees and Zak Crawley at the top of the order persists. Along with Duckett, Keaton Jennings is another pushing hard after five centuries for Lancashire this summer and his two in Test cricket coming on the subcontinent.
Greater intrigue surrounds the spinners required to support Jack Leach. Moeen Ali has already confirmed last year’s retirement from Test cricket stands, prompting suggestions that Surrey’s Will Jacks could be asked to perform a similar role as a hard-hitting batter whose off-breaks are better than part-time.
With Adil Rashid similarly not expected to end his hiatus in red-ball cricket, Liam Dawson and Matt Parkinson will enter the debate; some have even suggested the latter’s twin brother, Callum, who bowls left-arm spin for Leicestershire, should be considered. In truth, England’s options in this department are not plentiful.
Stuart Broad’s expected absence for paternity leave could also open up a spot among the seamers. Australia’s series win in Pakistan earlier this year came through reverse swing, something Mark Wood would potentially offer after an encouraging return since elbow surgery. That said, it would require Wood – currently part of the World Cup squad – to be away from home for more than three months before Christmas.
As such, it may be that Olly Stone enters the equation after his similar return from a back stress fracture, while Jimmy Anderson, Ollie Robinson and Matt Potts appear certainties. Sam Cook, the Essex right-armer whose 213 first-class wickets have come at under 20 runs apiece, should at least get the call-up to the Lions squad that provides warm-up opposition for the first XI in Abu Dhabi next month.
