England have backed Ben Duckett as opener in all formats and the busy left-hander will join the strong Phil Salt in the first T20 against India on Wednesday.
Duckett has been England's tone-setter in Test matches over the past few years and earned a place in the ODI squad with a series of eye-catching performances against Australia late last summer.
While Duckett has made a dozen appearances for England, he has yet to feature for England since his debut in 2019, but Jos Buttler remains at third and Will Will Jacks quit the team, leaving a vacancy.
Duckett may lack explosiveness but shows focus through his shrewd 360-degree batting and sweeping proficiency, and the left-hand bowler could be England's answer to Australian striker David Warner.
Duckett's abilities
“I think he's been outstanding in all formats of the game,” England captain Buttler said of the 30-year-old.
“You look at a guy in England cricket now who can open an innings in any format of the game and it's because of the way he's played over the last few years that he fully deserves the opportunity.
“He has a reputation against spin, but he has more options in the powerplay. With only two fielders out, he's a very tough guy to field and he can bat in different areas.
“I think it’s a perfect fit for his game and we’re all really excited about it.”
Buttler decided to continue to pull the strings in the outfield against the West Indies before Christmas, with Salter having beaten Jamie Smith to become England's first choice since the disastrous World Twenty20 final defeat in 2016 at Eden Gardens. The wicketkeeper position of the first T20 match.
fixtures
- January 22, 1st T20, Kolkata
- 2nd T20, Chennai, January 25
- Third T20, Rajkot, January 28
- 4th T20, Pune, January 31
- 5th T20, Mumbai, February 2
It also officially marks the start of Brendan McCullum's tenure as England manager in all competitions. After his appointment last year, McCullum said Buttler had looked “a bit miserable at times” during England's two white-ball World Cup defeats in the past 18 months.
But Buttler is relishing the chance to work with former New Zealand captain McCullum, who revolutionized England's Test squad.
“I've been practicing smiling in front of the mirror,” Butler joked. “Some Christmas gifts may be egged on this way, but I feel like I'm in a really good place. I'm excited.
“As a player, I'm a fan of Brendan McCullum and have always loved playing with him. I have great admiration for what he has done for New Zealand.
“He's very good friends with (former England captain) Eoin Morgan, who's one of my good friends, so I got to know him through him and the various franchise tournaments we played at the same time.
“It's a strong relationship and I'm really excited to develop that as a professional coach and captain. I'm really motivated by it and I've been looking forward to this moment ever since it was mentioned that Baz could be a white-ball coach as well. .
bazbol
McCullum hopes to bring his 'Bazball' philosophy to England's woes, who will feature Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Jamie Overton and Gus Arter The four real quickies from Jinson attacked India.
Liam Livingstone and Jacob Bethell will complement front-spinner Adil Rashid, while Harry Brook will serve as Buttler's deputy, who led England to a 3-2 loss to Australia in the ODI series last year.
“He has all the qualities to be a captain,” Butler added of the Yorkshireman. “I look to him on the pitch for advice and listen to his point of view.
“Certainly the way Harry plays cricket, watching him as captain against Australia, he's the most positive captain I've ever seen.
“We want to be a really compelling team, a really exciting team and be a team that’s aggressive and wants to win games.”
Read more: Brendon McCullum – Mark Wood and Jofra Archer not linted
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