Ben Duckett and Haseeb Hameed tuck in to give England selectors food for thought
The openers both passed 50 in England's final warm-up game to give the side's selectors a dilemma
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.At least with Alastair Cook returning to the England camp on Monday following the birth of his second child there are now two positions in his side’s batting line up that are not up for dispute.
The rest is as clear as mud ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh that starts on Thursday in Chittagong after both Ben Duckett and Haseeb Hameed scored runs on the final day of the final warm-up game against a Bangladesh Cricket Board XI which dribbled to a draw.
The left-handed Duckett, who turned 22 on Monday, made 60 before retiring out and it was his fourth 50 in his last five innings for England. He made a cautious start before putting his foot down and making his runs off 101 balls and hitting 10 fours. Hameed, the classical cricketer to Duckett’s biffing, made 57 runs from 125 balls with nine fours before he too was retired out.
Either could now be asked to open the batting alongside Cook on Thursday in the absence of Alex Hales who bowed out of the tour due to safety concerns. Hameed, or Baby Boycott as he is known, is maybe the favourite given his more orthodox technique but Northampton’s Duckett has been so impressive it will be hard to ignore his claims.
Another option for England is to bat Duckett in the middle order. Joe Root is a shoo-in at No 3 but Nos 4 and 5 were filled by James Vince and Gary Ballance during the summer against Pakistan – neither to great effect. Vince is not in the Test squad but Ben Stokes is back from injury and England will play a second spinner in Adil Rashid.
England may choose to bat Moeen Ali up at No 5 and Ballance, who made an unbeaten 36 on Monday, at No 4. Or that spot could go to Duckett. That leaves Stokes at 6 and Jonny Bairstow at 7, Rashid at 8 and three more seamers – Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad and Steve Finn. Or, they may play a third spinner in Gareth Batty. Decisions, decisions.
Jos Buttler, who has been in brilliant form on the one-day leg of this tour so far, offers another option although he failed on Monday - making just four.
Meanwhile, Cook will break Alec Stewart's record for the most Test appearances on Thursday when he plays his 134th match.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments