Ben Duckett set to open the innings in ODI series against Australia - Reports
England Test opener Ben Duckett is set for a similar role in the ODI setup, beginning with the upcoming five-match series against Australia at home. The left-handed batter has found tremendous success at the top of the order, forging a solid chemistry with Zak Crawley in the Bazball era.
England have had trouble with their opening combination in ODIs for a while now. While Phil Salt has emerged as a solid long-term option, they have had trouble finding his partner. England had options like Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy, and Dawid Malan in the past, but they are keen to move on from those candidates in a time of transition.
England have also tested out Will Jacks at the top of the order, but the right-handed batter has had mixed returns. Duckett, on the other hand, has never opened the batting in ODIs, primarily featuring at No. 3 and 4 across 11 innings. Not only does he provide a left-handed option at the top, but he already has an excellent working relationship in the red-ball setup with coach Brendon McCullum, who will soon take over the white-ball responsibilities.
According to a report by The Telegraph, Duckett will reportedly have an extended run at the top as England expect him to replicate the exploits of fellow left-handed opening batters like David Warner and Devon Conway.
Duckett recently played as an opener for the Birmingham Phoenix during the 2024 Hundred, scoring 269 runs in seven innings and finishing as the second-highest run-scorer. The Melbourne Stars have also picked him as the No.1 Draft pick for the 2024-25 Big Bash League (BBL) season.
Ben Duckett has three fifties and a hundred in his ODI career spanning seven years
Duckett made his ODI debut as early as 2016 during the tour of Bangladesh. Despite recording two fifties in his first three innings, the southpaw had to wait seven years for his next ODI appearance. He returned during the tour of South Africa but struggled for runs.
During the home ODI series against Ireland later that year, he recorded his maiden ODI ton. He was also part of the team that toured the Caribbean after the 2023 ODI World Cup debacle.
The ODI series between Australia and England is scheduled to begin on Thursday, September 19, at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Duckett's home ground.