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Ben Duckett fit for ICC Champions Trophy following injury scare, says ECB

ANI February 15, 2025 217 views

England's Ben Duckett has been cleared to play in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy after a minor groin injury scare during the recent India ODI series. The left-handed opener performed impressively in the previous series, scoring 131 runs across three matches with a strong strike rate. The ECB confirmed his fitness, providing a significant boost to England's tournament hopes. With England looking to rebuild after disappointing World Cup performances, Duckett's availability could be crucial to their campaign.

"Scans on a left groin injury have confirmed that England Men's batter Ben Duckett is fit and available" - ECB Statement
London, February 15: England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that left-handed opener Ben Duckett underwent scans for a groin injury, but is fit and available for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, starting from February 19 onwards.

Key Points

1

Duckett scored 131 runs in recent India ODI series

2

Averaged 46.16 in short ODI career

3

England seeking tournament redemption

4

Tournament starts February 19 in Pakistan

ECB issued a statement, stating that the batter sustained an injury while fielding during the third and final ODI against India at Ahmedabad on Wednesday. During the series, he top-scored for England with 131 runs in three matches at an average of 43.66 and a strike rate of 122.42, with the best score of 65.

The ECB statement read, "Scans on a left groin injury have confirmed that England Men's batter Ben Duckett is fit and available for the ICC Champions Trophy. Duckett sustained the injury while fielding during the first innings of England's third ODI defeat to India in Ahmedabad last Wednesday."

Duckett has done well in his short ODI career so far, with 831 runs in 19 matches since his debut in 2016 at an average of 46.16 and a strike rate of 102.71. He has two centuries and six fifties, with best score of 107*.

The England squad will arrive in Pakistan on February 18 ahead of their opening match of the tournament against Australia in Lahore on Saturday, February 22. Matches against Afghanistan on February 26 in Lahore and South Africa in Karachi on March 1 will follow to determine England's chances in the tournament.

England would be aiming to do well in the eight-team tournament, after fumbling their 50-over and 20-over World Cup title defences in 2023 and 2024. After a seventh-place finish in the 2023 World Cup in India with just three wins in nine matches and a semifinal finish in the T20 World Cup held in West Indies/USA last year, this tournament is the last chance for skipper Jos Buttler for redemption.

England squad for Champions Trophy: Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood.

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