Ben Duckett looking forward to Ireland ODIs: The out of favour English batsman might be handed an ODI comeback after four years.
Advertisement
England batsman Ben Duckett believes he has a “massive chance” with respect to his possible national comeback in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Ireland.
Named in the 24-member training group for the Ireland series, Duckett is currently under a bio-secure bubble at the Ageas Bowl where he will take part in two intra-squad practice matches on July 21 and 24 respectively.
“It is a massive chance to put my foot in the door. I just want to do everything possible in the camp – training, batting, whatever it is and just do as well as I can,” Duckett was quoted as saying by PA News Agency.
Duckett, who made his T20I debut against Pakistan at home last year, has also played four Tests and three ODIs – both in 2016. Having played ODIs before, Duckett opined against being surprised by the demands of international cricket.
“I think the good thing I’ve had is I’ve had a taster [with England], I know what it’s like. If I was 25 and I was about to make my debut and then you got knocked back a couple of years, suddenly you’re 27 or 28.
“But because I’ve had that taster, there’s going to be no shocks for me whatsoever if I was to get back into that England side,” Duckett said.
Ben Duckett looking forward to Ireland ODIs with positive head space
Much like England Test opening batsman Dom Sibley, Duckett also claims to have worked hard on his fitness during the COVID-19 lockdown. Having lost 10 kg during the hiatus, the left-hand batsman laid emphasis on being in a “positive head space” on the back of achieving fitness-related results.
“My fitness hasn’t necessarily been prioritised over the years so I just used the lockdown to try and get in good shape and work as hard as I’ve ever done. I’ve lost around nine or 10kg – and at the start of lockdown after working hard all winter, I wasn’t actually in bad shape at all.
“The fitness side of things hasn’t made me a better batsman, but it’s more just the mental side of things. When you’re not quite as fit, you potentially tend to worry, you don’t enjoy the fitness side of stuff.
“But because I’m feeling so fit – even before getting to training or rocking up at the ground I’m already in a great head space and feel so good mentally that whatever we do that day, I know I’m ready for,” Duckett said.
