AUS vs ENG: Ben Duckett's batting position changed in England's ODI 11

Ben Duckett, who opens for England in Test matches, is expected to take on a similar role in the upcoming ODI series against Australia.

Ben Duckett is set to open the batting in the five-match ODI series, which is scheduled to begin at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Thursday, September 19.

Duckett has been England's Test opener since November 2022. The left-handed batter has had tremendous success at the top of the order with Zak Crawley.

However, he has never opened for England in ODI matches in the past. England has struggled to find their opening combination in ODIs.

Phil Salt is a long-term option for England's ODI opening slot, but the team management has had trouble finding his partner.

England is looking to explore new candidates during this transition period. They tried Will Jacks as an opener in ODIs, but he has delivered inconsistent performances.

Ben Duckett To Open For England In Australia ODIs - Report

Ben Duckett has batted at Nos. 3 and 4 in his 11 ODI innings. The batter has a strong rapport with coach Brendon McCullum, who will take over the charge of white-ball responsibilities from January.

Duckett is reportedly being considered as a long-term opening option for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

According to The Telegraph, Duckett will have an extended run as England’s opening batter. The team management hopes the left-and-right-handed opening pair will provide a good balance.

Duckett may get his first opportunity to open in a global tournament at the Champions Trophy in February.

Duckett scored 269 runs in seven innings as an opener for Birmingham Phoenix in the 2024 Hundred.

He finished as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament. The left-handed batter has also been selected as the No. 1 draft pick by the Melbourne Stars for the 2024-25 Big Bash League season.

Ben Duckett Made His ODI Debut Against Bangladesh In 2016

Ben Duckett made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in 2016. He scored two fifties in his first three innings. Despite a strong start, he had to wait seven years for his next ODI appearance.

He returned during the tour of South Africa but had a tough time scoring runs, adding only 23 runs in three innings.

However, he scored his maiden ODI century during the home series against Ireland later that year.

Duckett was part of the England team during the West Indies tour after the 2023 ODI World Cup. Overall in professional one-day cricket, he averages 38.5 with a strike rate of 100 from 82 games.

Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, and Jos Buttler, who is sidelined for the series against Australia, will be seen as England’s first-choice middle order.

Brook will lead the team against Australia in Buttler's absence. The ODI series between Australia and England is set to start on Thursday, September 19.

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