Follow UsBen Duckett was stupendous in his approach as his 149 at the top of England’s batting order, while chasing 371 to win in the fourth innings against India at Leeds in the first Test, proved to be decisive. He displayed tremendous hitting ability as he not only led England to a win, but further asserted himself as the best all-format batter in the world.
As a result, David Lloyd, the famous former England cricketer and TV commentator, asserted that Duckett is England's answer to Virender Sehwag.
“Ben Duckett has come a long way since he poured a drink over Jimmy Anderson on an Ashes tour. He is now England’s answer to Virender Sehwag and opening the batting in your World XI. The reverse sweep is such a natural shot for him. He plays it for fun,” Lloyd said in his column for the Daily Mail.
“It’s no surprise to learn he was a good hockey player at school because it’s like a hockey shot,” added the man with nine Test appearances for the English national side.
There is clear evidence of Duckett being a great hockey player at school level. His coach, in an interview with the Indian Express, said, “Ben played hockey and rugby, as well as cricket from a young age at Winchester House Prep School and then throughout his time at Stowe.
“In hockey, he was a great exponent of reverse hitting the ball and could already play the reverse sweep and switch hit when he arrived at Stowe. We worked more on the orthodox sweep and the paddle sweep, which he didn’t play as much,” he added.