B
en Duckett says he was “gutted” to overlook out on an Ashes century at Lord’s, however insists he has not remorse over the shot that noticed him fall two runs wanting the landmark.
The opener helped England make a powerful begin in reply to Australia ’s first innings rating of 416, sharing a gap stand of 91 with Zak Crawley, England’s greatest in Ashes cricket in additional than a decade.
While Crawley was out stumped to Nathan Lyon earlier than tea, Duckett continued in superb fashion till being caught within the deep by David Warner when inside one blow of three figures.
“It’s weird obviously because at the start of the day I’d have been over the moon if I was offered 98,” Duckett said. “Falling so close to scoring three figures here at Lord’s I’m obviously gutted about that but I’m really happy with how I played throughout the innings, I thought it was certainly my best innings in an England shirt.”
The Nottinghamshire batter was, along with Joe Root and Ollie Pope, one of three players to fall in quick succession trying to take on Australia’s short-ball plan , before a fifty partnership between Harry Brook and Ben Stokes steadied England to 278 for four at the close.
“No not at all,” Duckett stated, when requested whether or not he regretted his dismissal. “I’d have been gutted in myself if I’d have gone into my shell and gone away from it and gloved onto the keeper behind.
“To be honest for three or four overs leading up to that I felt so comfortable just hitting it down to fine leg or the man just behind square for one.
“10 meters either side of him there and I’ve got 100. I’d only have been disappointed if I’d have gone away from my natural game and it’s a shot that I play and it’s a shot that I’ve scored plenty of runs over my career doing so I’m not happy I got out, but I’d rather get out like that.”
England will resume 138 runs shy of Australia’s first innings whole, with the vacationers sweating over the health of Lyon, who limped off with a calf drawback and will likely be assessed in a single day.
“I haven’t been up in the sheds yet, but obviously it didn’t look good,” Smith stated. “He doesn’t look like he’ll play the rest of game but I’m not sure how he is. If he’s no good, it’s obviously a big loss for us.
“It was his 100th consecutive Test match and I know he was looking to play big part. Fingers crossed he’s okay but it didn’t look good.”
