England opener Ben Duckett, who hit a swashbuckling century in the third Test against India in Rajkot last week, courted controversy with a remark about Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Duckett’s century was also the quickest by an Englishman against India, and Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a double century in the second innings. The English opener said that India should give England some credit for motivating them to play aggressively.
“When you see players from the opposition playing like that, it almost feels like we should take some credit that they’re playing differently than how other people play Test cricket.”
Ben Duckett
However, Ben Duckett’s statement sparked outrage among many individuals, including the majority of his countrymen. They accused him of being tone-deaf to the fact that individuals had played aggressively in Tests long before Bazball appeared on the picture.
In this listicle, we provide three such replies from professionals throughout the world.
1. Nasser Hussain
Former England captain Nasser Hussain was one of the most outspoken opponents of Ben Duckett when he stated that Yashasvi Jaiswal should give England credit for playing an aggressive brand of cricket.
Speaking to SkySports Cricket, Hussain said that the English squad should reflect on the enormous margin by which they lost the Test.
“He (Jaiswal) has not learnt from you (Duckett). He’s learnt from his upbringing, all the hard yards he had to put in growing up. If anything, lads, look at him and learn from him. I hope there’s a little bit of self-introspection going on.”
“Otherwise, it becomes a cult, and at times Bazball and this regime has been described as such, where you cannot criticise within or externally.”
Nasser Hussain
2. Michael Vaughan
Another former England captain, Michael Vaughan, chastised Ben Duckett for arguing that England deserved be credited for Jaiswal’s aggressive knock.
Vaughan also harped on the Bazball regime’s insistence that practically nothing is ever wrong. In his Telegraph editorial, the Yorkshireman expressed dissatisfaction with the English players’ exaggerated boasts.
“Listen to them, and you would think nothing is ever wrong. Jimmy Anderson said they would chase 600 in Vizag. Ben Duckett said “the more the better” in terms of their target this week, but they fell 434 short.”
“Duckett also reckons they deserve credit for the way Yashasvi Jaiswal is batting, as if no player in history has ever played an attacking shot. They talk about not playing for the draw, but to me, that’s disrespectful to Test cricket. The draw is a crucial part of the game, and in five-Test contests has often provided the bedrock of some great series victories.”
Michael Vaughan
3. Michael Clarke
Former Australian captain Michael Clarke was not happy when he learned of Ben Duckett’s statement on Yashasvi Jaiswal’s knock.
Speaking to ESPN Around The Wicket, Clarke believed Duckett was being immature by suggesting such a thing, given that many teams and individuals have played aggressively in Test cricket before England.
“He (Duckett) must have missed Australia by 20 years then. Matthew Hayden, Michael Slater, Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist – these guys used to smack the ball as good as anyone.”
“And just because you are playing the reverse sweep, or switch hit or ramp shot, it does not mean that you are playing aggressively. Matthew Hayden used to come down the track and hit it over your head for six. He didn’t have to play the scoop or the switch hit.”
Michael Clarke