Ben Duckett was named Player of the Match in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy’s first Test at Headingley in Leeds, after making a half-century in the first innings and a century in the second. The southpaw smashed the Indian bowlers on his way to a magnificent 149 off 170 balls, helping England chase down a 371-run target and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan praised Duckett and claimed that the opening batter does not receive the recognition he deserves in the national squad. Vaughan went on to name the Farnborough native as the best batter in all formats of international cricket right now.
“Ben Duckett was the driving force behind this victory.
He does not receive the recognition he deserves in this team. Pound for pound, I believe he is the best all-round batsman in world cricket now. There may be players who excel in one of the formats, but none are as strong at all three. Others in the running would be Travis Head or Aiden Markram, but on current form, I’d pick Ben over them, especially since he plays in such a difficult position, opening, across both formats,” Vaughan said in his Telegraph column.
Don’t rotate just for the sake of it, Michael Vaughan
Vaughan also explored probable bowling combinations for England’s upcoming series matches against India. He hoped that the Three Lions would not rotate their seam bowlers simply for the purpose of it.
“I sincerely hope they aren’t pencilling in names so early. Do not rotate just for the purpose of it. What’s the rush now that these players have been hurt and will have played so little cricket? And for whom? Vaughan enquired.
The second Test begins on Wednesday, July 2, at Edgbaston in Birmingham. England has a wonderful record versus India at the gorgeous site, having won seven of eight games with one draw.
India
