There is a good case to be made that Ben Duckett is the best batter in the world right now across all formats.
Among his six Test centuries, this was without a question the best. It was also the second-highest score by an England batter in a successful chase. After Butcher’s epic 173 to beat Australia on this ground 24 years ago.
Who is Ben Matthew Duckett?
Ben Matthew Duckett is a powerful left-handed top-order batter for England who was born on October 17, 1994. He is known for his aggressive stroke play and confident attitude. Ben is about 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall and can also keep wickets when needed.
He played his first international game in October 2016 and has been a regular in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is ever since. In the UK, he plays for Nottinghamshire and has appeared in several franchise games. Including The Hundred, the Big Bash, and the PSL.
Early life and rise through the ranks of Ben Duckett.
Duckett was born in Farnborough, Greater London. He played school and under-19 cricket, improving steadily until he represented his country in the ICC U-19 World Cup. Where he had an average of over 60 and was named Player of the Match.
He played his first game for Northamptonshire in 2012 while still at Stowe School. In 2015–16, he scored more than 1,000 first-class runs every season. In one year, he scored 400 and a career-high 282.
Because of how well he played in 2016, he won both the PCA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards, which had never been done before.
Style and Strengths
Duckett was a pioneer in the use of Bazball, and since 2022. His strike rates in Tests have consistently been close to 100, redefining red-ball recklessness.
Master of spin: he is known for his reverse sweeps and strategic hitting against spin. He does very well in subcontinental conditions, as shown in Rajkot and Headingley.
He is a versatile shot-maker who employs a range of different strokes, including sweep variations, reverse slog sweeps, and precise drives, to keep bowlers guessing.
Career High Points.
Rajkot Test 2024: He was the first English opener since Alastair Cook to score a Test century in India. He did it in 88 balls, which was the fastest score by an English batter in that test.
He scored 149 runs in the fourth innings of a record-setting chase, going without being out and showing calm and control. Won Player of the Match and moved up to eighth in the ICC Test rankings.
ODI record 2025: Scored 165 runs off of 143 balls against Australia, which was the best score ever in the ICC Champions Trophy at the time. Fans praised his smooth control and timing.
He has the fastest double century for Nottinghamshire and has been a star in T20 games, including a 53* that won the 2020 Blast.
Problems and progress
Getting into trouble: In 2017, he was suspended for allegedly pouring beer over his partner, James Anderson, in Australia. The event put him out of commission for a while.
Fitness journey: Early setbacks in Duckett’s career included being kicked off the fitness team. He bounced back by improving his training and attitude at Northamptonshire.
Growing older and more mature: Becoming a father and receiving coaching from McCullum and Stokes transformed him from an instinctive batsman into a skilled, tactical opener who could strike a balance between aggression and timing.
Off the Field: He is engaged to model Paige Ogborne, and in July 2024, they had a daughter named Margot.
Interests: He likes beer and says that hockey helped him improve his sweep shots. He also enjoys golf and taking walks with his golden retriever, Max.
Brand Deals: He signed with Castore in 2023, indicating that he is gaining more recognition outside of cricket.
Here’s a more detailed account of how Ben Duckett did in the first Test against India at Headingley (June 19–24, 2025).
England wins a classic game against India, thanks to Duckett.
Days 2 & 3: Making an Impact at the Start
In England’s first game, Duckett scored 35 runs off of 39 balls, helping to hold up a 55-run partnership with Zak Crawley.
Even though Ashwin got rid of Duckett lbw, his innings showed determination and toughness against India’s spin attack.
Days 5 and 6: A historic fourth-innings win
On Day 5, England was chasing a big 371 runs, and Duckett did a great job, scoring 149 runs before being out by Shardul Thakur.
In a successful fourth-innings chase against India, his score was the best by an individual Test player. It is also England’s second-highest score in a fourth-innings chase ever.
Duckett and Crawley put together an opening stand of 188 runs, which was England’s second-best opening pair in the fourth innings.
Match Impact and Context
The chase was massive—371 runs are the 10th-highest score in Test history and the second-highest score England has ever successfully chased down in a Test.
Duckett’s innings was a big part of England’s exciting 5-wicket win, which put them ahead 1-0 in the five-match series.
India scored five centuries in the game but still lost, marking the first time in history that this had occurred. It showed how tough England was and how bad India’s fielding was.
Duckett’s History
This was Duckett’s sixth century in a Test match and his best score in a high-pressure situation so far.
In the fourth inning, he was aggressive but calm, which is what the “Bazball” philosophy is all about: combining purpose with control under pressure.
The hit is recorded as the most runs scored in a winning chase against India. It was also only the second time since Alastair Cook in 2010 that an England starter scored a hundred in the fourth innings.
England’s incredible chase at Headingley was built around Ben Duckett’s 149-run performance in the fourth innings.
It not only turned a big Test match in England’s favour, but it also showed that Duckett is becoming more respected as a brave and powerful top-order batter in red-ball cricket.
What’s Next?
Duckett, who is only 30, wants to be a leader and is running for skipper of England in limited-overs games. As England’s most reliable opener, he’ll make more runs that decide games and could lead the team from the middle.
Conclusion
Ben Duckett’s rise from school prospect to match-winning all-format opener has been marked by bravery, adaptability, and growth.
He is more than just a showperson; he is an integral part of England’s team in all of their sports. It’s still exciting to watch him take risks, but it’s his maturity and consistency that make him one of the best batters of his age.