Ben Duckett, Welsh Fire
Ben Duckett Welsh Fire (Credits: Getty)

Ben Duckett, an English batsman, reminisced about playing against and against Ravichandran Ashwin in first-class cricket. In 2016, the left-handed Duckett faced Ashwin three times and was dismissed each time, accumulating just 18 runs.

In the 2016 match between India and England, Ben Duckett and Ravi Ashwin squared off. Additionally, they participated in domestic cricket matches for Nottinghamshire in England.

Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin. Image Credits: BCCI

Since that time, Duckett has not played in a Test match. The southpaw, who is competing in the seven-match T20I series against Babar Azam’s Pakistan, said he considered himself fortunate to have played with Ashwin in Nottinghamshire.

Ben Duckett
Ben Duckett. Credits: Twitter

“I was a kid. I don’t think anyone knows their game at 20 or 21 – well, I know for a fact that no one does. It takes time. It’s been a journey. I’m not a different player, but I have a more mature head on my shoulders,” Duckett was quoted as saying to ESPNcricinfo.

Ben Duckett
Ben Duckett. Credits: ECB official website.

“He is more than just an off-spinner, Ashwin. He spins it both ways. He is incredible. I was lucky to play with him when he played for Notts [Nottinghamshire] and I was facing him in the nets every time I could.

“Not many people will have that opportunity after struggling in Test cricket and then playing with him and facing him in the nets,” he stated.

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I never doubted that I couldn’t play spin: Ben Duckett

Duckett claimed that he has been practicing playing good spin bowling. Duckett lost every other game in four tests versus spinners. While Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz each got rid of him twice, Ashwin dismissed him three times.

“I never doubted that I couldn’t play spin: I found it extremely funny when people said I couldn’t play spin – and people still do until this tour – because I know in myself it’s my strength. I’ve been working on facing it but I know for a fact if I faced Ashwin in India right now, it would still be hard work, but I would back myself to put in a bit of a better performance than I did last time,” Duckett added.

In England’s domestic first-class competition in 2019, Duckett and Ashwin collaborated on a team. The 27-year-old acknowledged that he faced the Indian off-spinner and had his share of difficulties.

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