Duckett happy to offer England a different style

BEN DUCKETT believes his more alternative skill set could complement England’s big-hitters in the defence of their T20 World Cup crown in June.

England have a surfeit of batters and, while Duckett relies more on field manipulation and piercing the gaps rather than outright power, it can be no less effective.

Ben Stokes showed how valuable a T20 anchor can be during England’s 2022 triumph, but his request not to be considered in the Caribbean and United States leaves the top and middle order short of left-handed options.

With Dawid Malan out-offavour, Duckett, who has a strikerate of 145 in a dozen T20 internationals but has often been on the fringes of the set-up, could be a useful inclusion in England’s 15-strong squad.

“The beauty of what I do is different to a lot of guys,” England’s Test opener told the PA news agency. “That aspect of not necessarily having the power, but I can use my skills to find ways to get on top.

“I’m 29 now and I’m not going to try to be someone I’m not just to try to get into a side. I’ve worked out over the years if I become the best version of myself, that’s all I can be.

“Whatever opportunity I get moving forward in that group is something I’d take with both hands. If I don’t get picked then I don’t get picked. There are a list of players knocking on that door.

“It’s not like it’s me and a couple of others, there are 10 or 15 lads who could come into that side and perform at that level. That is the beauty of English cricket, so I guess we’ll see.”

England have four tune-up matches against Pakistan next month before flying to the Caribbean and are expected to name a squad for the series and a provisional pack for the World Cup next week.