Jaded Ben Duckett out of England T20 series

OPENER NEEDS A REST AFTER BUSY SCHEDULE

- By Neil Squires

BURNED-OUT Ben Duckett has been withdrawn from the T20 series against South Africa next week as England try to reboot their struggling opener ahead of the Ashes.

After a poor Hundred in which he averaged 17.57, the left-hander has been a shadow of his former self in the ODI series against the Proteas.

After being dismissed cheaply at Headingley, Duckett looked badly out of touch on Thursday at Lord’s, with his 14 coming off 33 balls as England suffered back-to-back defeats.

England have concluded he needs rest after two years of pretty much constant cricket.

But Duckett remains in the ODI squad for tomorrow’s dead rubber at Southampton.

England know they need the opening batsman at his best for the Ashes this winter.