Ben's ready to Duck and dive for England

WELL PLACED FOR T20 OPTION

- David Charlesworth

BEN DUCKETT believes his alternative skill set could complement England's big-hitters in the defence of their T20 World Cup crown in June.

England have an abundance of batters who can clear the ropes with ease.

While Duckett relies more on field manipulation and piercing the gaps rather than outright power, it can be no less effective.

Ben Stokes showed how valuable a T20 anchor can be during England's 2022 triumph, but his request not to be considered in the Caribbean and United States this summer leaves the top and middle order short of left-handed options.

With Dawid Malan out of favour, Duckett, who has a strike rate of 145 in а dozen T20 internationals but has often been on the fringes of the set-up, could be a useful inclusion in England's 15-strong squad.