When England set out to chase 371 against India in the first Test at Headingley, history suggested it was improbable. But Ben Duckett made it feel inevitable. In a high-stakes, high-skill match littered with centuries, his 149 stood out not just for its elegance, but for the authority with which it shifted the narrative of the match. It was a reminder that in Test cricket, one batter’s conviction can bend the course of five days.
Duckett has often been the most unheralded among England’s top-order renaissance under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. But at Leeds, in front of a boisterous crowd and under immense scoreboard pressure, he announced himself as not just a Bazball foot soldier — but one of its central architects.
Here’s how Duckett’s knock and his rise to prominence are redefining England’s batting ambitions in red-ball cricket:
1. The Greedy Genius: Duckett’s Selfishness Fuels Team Glory
In a format where restraint is praised, Duckett’s version of greed became a virtue. His 149, laced with daring strokeplay and crisp placements, consumed nearly 40% of the chase and left just 118 runs for the rest of the lineup. His tempo made a potentially tense fourth innings feel like a cruise. While others played cameos or classical knocks, Duckett was all ambition — and none of the waste. This wasn't slogging. This was smart, aggressive, match-shaping Test batting.
2. Master Of Spin And The Sweep: Jadeja Left Searching
Ben Stokes may be England’s talisman, but even he turned to Duckett for advice on playing Ravindra Jadeja. That speaks volumes. Against Jadeja, Duckett swept, reverse-swept, and neutralized the left-arm spinner like few others can. His 31 runs from 12 reverse sweeps alone changed the field and the pressure. Stokes tried the same — and fell. Duckett’s mastery over spin, especially on wearing surfaces, has elevated him into an elite class of players capable of dismantling even the best.
3. Bumrah Blunted: A Rare Feat In Modern Cricket
India’s Jasprit Bumrah had taken a five-for in the first innings and was expected to be the final-day wrecking ball. Duckett had other ideas. Of the 49 balls he faced from Bumrah, he dominated the tempo, rotating strike, defending with soft hands, and even punching him straight down the ground. Since 2024, no batter has scored more runs against Bumrah than Duckett. His ability to absorb pressure and counter-punch against one of the world’s best was pivotal in breaking India’s resolve.
4. The Best Since Root? Numbers Say So
Duckett’s return to the Test side in 2022 has been nothing short of transformational. Only Joe Root has scored more runs for England since, but Duckett’s average of 47.37 in that period trumps several global greats. As an opener, his 44.98 average is better than even Alastair Cook’s — a knighted legend of English cricket. Amidst a batting lineup in transition, Duckett has emerged as a consistent pillar and a fearless run-accumulator.
5. From Rock Bottom To Rising Star: The Redemption Arc
Dropped after a forgettable start in 2016, criticized during the 2017-18 Ashes, and plagued by injuries — Duckett’s rise is the kind of comeback story that inspires dressing rooms. He has worked through technical flaws, injury setbacks, and mental scars to become a refined, more dangerous version of himself. The dropped catch on 97 at Headingley? He didn’t flinch. He just reset and carried on. Duckett 2.0 isn’t just resilient; he’s unshakeable.
