Watch- Ben Duckett hits back at Pakistan journalist who tries to be oversmart in a press conference

Published - 17 Oct 2024, 11:57 AM | Updated - 17 Oct 2024, 12:05 PM

Ben Duckett
Ben Duckett (Image Credits: Getty)

England opening batter Ben Duckett recently opened up about his challenges of facing veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Indian pitches.

Duckett said that he had scored many runs in English conditions earlier in his career and struggled to accustom to subcontinent conditions.

Responding to Pakistan's first-innings total of 366, England openers Duckett and Zak Crawley (27) added a 73-run stand for the first wicket.

Duckett also added an 86-run stand with Joe Root for the third wicket. He scored 114 runs off 129 balls, including 16 fours, before being dismissed by Sajid Khan on Day 2.

Sajid Khan triggered a collapse as England was reduced from 211-2 to 225-6 on Day 2. The off-spinner secured four wickets, including Duckett from England's first innings.

England ended the second day's play with 239/6 at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Notably, Pakistan is playing with only fast bowlers.

Haven't Grown Up Playing In Those Conditions - Ben Duckett

When asked about his struggles during his debut series in Bangladesh in 2016, Ben Duckett said that he "couldn't buy a run" was slightly harsh. He said that he did score 60 runs in one of the two Test matches. Duckett added that he was young at the time and had scored many runs in English conditions.

"First of all, congratulations on your turn! You swept your way to excellence. I just want to talk to you about your personal journey as a cricketer. When you debuted against Bangladesh, you couldn't buy a run in turning conditions, and here you are in this Multan Test as England's best batter in these testing spinning conditions. So, talk to me about your own transformation as a batter and how that's been," a journalist asked.

"I did get 60 in one of the two Test matches, so that's slightly harsh. I was slightly young, scored a lot of runs batting in English conditions and it's incredibly difficult playing in the subcontinent when you haven't grown up playing in those conditions," Duckett said.

It Was A Great Learning Curve For Me - Ben Duckett

Ben Duckett highlighted how playing against Ravichandran Ashwin in India has helped him. He said Ashwin is one of the best bowlers for left-handed batters, adding that it was a great learning curve for him.

"I scored 60 in Bangladesh and then went to India and got out to, in my opinion, the best bowler to left-handers -- Ravi Ashwin. It was a great learning curve for me," said Duckett.

Ben Duckett Scored 343 Runs In England's Tour Of India 2024

During England's tour of India earlier this year, the left-handed batter scored 343 runs in five Tests, including a century. England won the first Test but went on to lose the series 4-1. Duckett made history by becoming the fastest player to reach 2,000 Test runs based on balls faced during the Multan Test.

Also read: IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians close down their retentions; Rohit Sharma-Hardik Pandya fate sealed

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