England opener Ben Duckett is hoping for a "niggly" Ashes series this summer, having vowed to continue his attacking approach against an Australian bowling attack he rates as the best in the world.
Since being recalled by England after a six-year absence from the Test team, Duckett has flourished playing the new 'Bazball' style of cricket encouraged by Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.
In five Tests against Pakistan and New Zealand, Duckett has struck 508 runs at an average of 56.44 and a strike-rate of 95.48. And with Stokes revealing he has asked groundstaff to prepare "fast, flat wickets" for the Ashes, Duckett will be hoping he can enjoy similar success this summer.
"Australia are probably the best bowling attack in the world, but we'll have our methods of scoring against them and it won't be dissimilar to what you saw from us over the winter," he told BBC Sport.
"You do have to adjust to different pitches and bowling attacks, but the way I play is the same. I've been allowed to go and do that under Stokesy and Baz and in my opinion, that's why I've had the success that I have.
"I've been able to go out and play freely, always look to score and put the pressure back on the bowlers - and I will continue to do that." Duckett also backed England seamer Ollie Robinson after he said he was confident they would give Australia a "good hiding".
Robinson later doubled down on that claim, insisting England can "really stick one on them and win the series comfortably". And when asked about Robinson's comments, Duckett said he is looking forward to a more "niggly" affair after the late great Shane Warne claimed both teams were "too friendly" with each other during the last series.
"He [Robinson] is one of the best bowlers in the world at the moment and he'll back himself to get any of them out on any day," Duckett added. "I hope it's one of those niggly series'.
"Lots of players play with each other around the world now in franchise cricket so it's a tad more friendly than it was 10 or 15 years ago, but I can't imagine that they're going to come in and be friendly to us. I'm sure, as the next few months go on, there will be a lot more chat around it and I'm sure the Aussies will be giving an answer to what he [Robinson] said."
