By Karim Hammam
England opener Ben Duckett insists the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia will be a "completely different" challenge from the 4-1 Ashes defeat suffered last winter. Duckett, who averaged just 20.2 across 10 Ashes innings, heads to Australia on the back of a strong tri-series in Pakistan where he scored two centuries at Gaddafi Stadium, including an ODI-best 167 against Sri Lanka.
Strong ODI record against Australia
Duckett boasts an impressive one-day record against Australia, with 470 runs in six matches at an average of 78.33. That tally includes hundreds at Bristol in 2024 and at Lahore during last year's Champions Trophy. The left-hander has averaged 56.7 in ODIs this calendar year, contrasting with a lean run in Test cricket over the past 12 months.
Confidence from Pakistan tour
"It's a different coloured ball and a different format," Duckett told the Press Association. "I've got two hundreds against Australia in ODIs. It's a completely different format so I'll try to take the confidence from this tour of Pakistan into Australia." The series begins on November 13 in Perth.
Effective opening partnership with Banton
With Jacob Bethell sidelined by a knee injury, Duckett has formed a productive opening stand with Tom Banton. The pair have averaged 71 together, while Banton has posted five 50-plus scores in six innings since his ODI recall, including a maiden England hundred last month. Bethell is expected to be available for the Australia tour, giving selectors a welcome headache.
"Opening with Tom has been great," Duckett added. "We obviously haven't done it loads but the small sample we have been together, I feel like it's been working really well. These are good problems to have and problems I'm sure England selectors and coaching staff want."
