Former England batter and coach David Lloyd remains unconvinced about Ben Duckett as a Test match opener, despite the 28-year-old scoring a brilliant hundred on his return to the side against Pakistan.
Duckett played four Tests back in 2016 against Bangladesh and India, but was axed after scoring just 110 runs at an average of 15.71 and struggling against the spinners. However, the 28-year-old is now a much-improved player and was handed a recall against Pakistan after scoring 1,012 runs at 72.28 for Nottinghamshire in this year's County Championship
Despite primarily batting at number three for his county, he was picked to open for England alongside Zak Crawley, getting the nod ahead of Keaton Jennings. And Duckett duly cashed in on a flat Rawalpindi pitch, scoring an excellent century off 105 balls.
It was the third-fastest by an England opener and he shared a brilliant 233-run partnership with Crawley. However, Lloyd has expressed reservations about Duckett's future at the top of the order.
In a column for the Daily Mail, Lloyd said: "Let's not be too curmudgeonly about this. There really was some exhilarating stroke-play from England with four century makers and 500 in the day! Batters have to dip their bread when it's like this!
"I must confess I didn't see Ben Duckett coming as a Test opener. I still don't! But all credit to him for helping himself to a century."
Lloyd was, however, full of praise for Duckett's opening partner Crawley who struck a brilliant hundred of his own off just 86 balls, insisting he will "go on to be a very fine Test opener". Lloyd added: "England stuck with Zak Crawley through thin and thinner but they had identified him as a top quality player and I think they were right to.
"I believe he will go on to be a very fine Test opener and this was a glimpse of what he can do. This England set-up are extremely loyal to players they believe in and should get full credit for that.
"I can think of some good ones in recent years who would have flourished with this level of support. Adam Lyth is one."
