Ben Duckett scored the second century of his Test career.Image Credit source: AFP
New Delhi: The World Test Championship final is going to start between India and Australia from 7th June. At present, this match is the most discussed in the corridors of cricket. After this there will be another bang series – Ashes. This series will also be watched by cricket fans around the world. That means two consecutive big challenges in front of Australia and the signs are not looking good because England batsmen Ben Duckett and Olly Pope have started raining runs before this series.
The Ashes series will begin between England and Australia from June 16. Before this important series, the England team is busy preparing itself. For this, the team of Ben Stokes has also started its Test season. The English team is currently playing a Test match against Ireland at Lord’s ground and its players are making a splash here.
ducket’s blistering century
After stacking Ireland for just 172 runs in the first innings, England’s batsmen rained a lot of runs on the inexperienced bowlers of Ireland. After Jack Crawley was dismissed on the first day, his fellow opener Ben Duckett rained runs on the second day. Left-handed batsman Duckett completed his second Test century in just 106 balls.
Ben Duckett in cruise control at Lord’s 👏
@IGcom #EnglandCricket , #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/FZn0YyAvQ3
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 2, 2023
First ball of the day. Boundary.
✨ Starting as we mean to go on…#EnglandCricket , #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/NL7j0A6IFl
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 2, 2023
Duckett then accelerated the pace of runs and completed his 150 runs even before the end of the first session. He completed 150 runs in 150 balls.
🚨 5️⃣0️⃣@BenDuckett1 canters to a classy 50 (53) in the Lord’s sun 👏
@IGcom #EnglandCricket , #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/iYJD4Wwbnp
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 1, 2023
The I̶a̶n̶ ̶B̶e̶l̶l̶ Ollie Pope cover drive…
One of the most pleasing shots in cricket 😍
Get it on repeat 🔁 #EnglandCricket , #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/our07uvBgw
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 1, 2023
big lead for england
Not only Duckett, but the bat of the new vice-captain of England, Olly Pope, also kept on fire. The right-handed batsman completed his half-century in 64 balls. Both these batsmen shared a partnership of more than 200 runs till the lunch break itself and took the team to 325 runs. Both gave the team a lead of more than 150 runs, crossing Ireland’s score of 172 runs in just 29 overs.
Disturbing news for Australia
Now even though these runs of Duckett and Pope have come against a relatively weak Irish team, it is good news for England to get the rhythm of the batsmen just before the Ashes series. At the same time, the way to the Ashes seems to be getting more difficult for the Australian team, which is facing challenges in recent times.