In the first Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Headingley, Leeds, Ben Duckett scored a half-century in the first innings and a century in the second, earning him the Player of the Match award. The southpaw helped England chase down a 371-run mark and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series after taking the Indian bowlers to the cleaners his route to a spectacular 149 off 170 balls.
Ben Duckett received a lot of praise from former England captain Michael Vaughan, who also claimed that the opening batsman doesn’t receive the recognition he merits in the national squad. The Farnborough native is now the top batter in international cricket across all formats, according to Vaughan.
“Ben Duckett was the driving force behind this victory. On this team, he doesn’t receive the recognition he merits.
I believe he is currently the best all-format batsman in international cricket, pound for pound. None of the players are as skilled at all three formats, while some may be superior at only one. Travis Head and Aiden Markram are other players in the discussion, but given his current form and the fact that he opens in both forms, I’d pick Ben over them,” Vaughan said in his Telegraph column.
Avoid spinning just for the sake of it: Vaughan
In addition, Vaughan talked about possible bowling combinations that England might employ against Team India in their upcoming series games. He hoped the Three Lions wouldn’t switch up their seam bowlers for no other reason.
“I sincerely hope that names aren’t being pencilled in so early. Avoid rotating only for the sake of doing so. Given that these individuals have been injured and will have played very little cricket, what’s the rush? And for whom? Vaughan enquired.
On Wednesday, July 2, the second Test begins in Edgbaston, Birmingham. At the scenic location, England has a stellar record against India, having won seven of eight games against the Asian team, with one match ending in a draw.
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