Ben Duckett, who opens for England in Test matches, is expected to take on a similar role in the upcoming ODI series against Australia.
Ben Duckett is set to open the batting in the five-match ODI series, which is scheduled to begin at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Thursday, September 19.
Duckett has been England’s Test opener since November 2022. The left-handed batsman has had tremendous success at the top of the order alongside Zak Crawley.
However, he has never opened for England in ODI matches in the past. England have struggled to find their opening combination in ODIs.
Phil Salt is a long-term option for England’s ODI opening slot but the team management has struggled to find his partner.
England are looking for new candidates during this transition period. They tried Will Jacks as an opener in ODIs, but he has had inconsistent performances.
Ben Duckett to open England’s ODI in Australia, report says
Ben Duckett has batted at Nos. 3 and 4 in his 11 ODI innings. The batsman has a good relationship with coach Brendon McCullum, who will take over white-ball responsibilities from January.
Duckett is reportedly being considered as a long-term opening option for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
According to The Telegraph, Duckett will have a long career as England’s opening batsman. The team management hopes that the pair of left-handed and right-handed openers will provide a good balance.
Duckett could get his first chance to open a world tournament at the Champions Trophy in February.
Duckett scored 269 runs in seven innings as an opener for Birmingham Phoenix in the 2024 Hundred.
He finished as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament. The left-handed batsman was also selected as the first pick of the draft by the Melbourne Stars for the 2024-25 Big Bash League season.
Ben Duckett made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in 2016
Ben Duckett made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in 2016. He scored two fifties in his first three innings. Despite a good start, he had to wait seven years for his next ODI appearance.
He returned during the tour of South Africa but struggled to score runs, managing just 23 runs in three innings.
However, he scored his first ODI century during the home series against Ireland later that year.
Duckett was part of England’s squad for the tour of West Indies following the 2023 ODI World Cup. Overall in professional one-day cricket, he averages 38.5 at a strike rate of 100 in 82 games.
Harry Brook, Jamie Smith and Jos Buttler, who will not be able to play in the series against Australia, will be considered as England’s first-choice middle-order.
Brook will lead the team against Australia in Buttler’s absence. The ODI series between Australia and England is scheduled to begin on Thursday, September 19.
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