Ben Duckett is now England's answer to Virender Sehwag: David Lloyd

Former England cricketer David Lloyd has compared Ben Duckett to Virender Sehwag after the southpaw scored a match-winning century against India at Headingley in Leeds in the first Test in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Duckett notched up one of the finest centuries at Headingley on Tuesday, June 24, as England chased down a 371-run target, winning by five wickets on Day 5. The left-handed opener smashed 149 off 170 balls in the fourth innings, hitting 21 fours and a six.

Lloyd drew parallels with Sehwag’s performances against England, saying Duckett’s impact was akin to what the legendary Indian opening batter once did to the English bowlers in the longest format of the game. The cricketer-turned-commentator, while highlighting Duckett's hockey background, noted that the reverse sweep is a natural shot for the left-handed batter.

“Ben Duckett has come a long way since he poured a drink over Jimmy Anderson on an Ashes tour. He is now England’s answer to Virender Sehwag and opening the batting in your World XI. The reverse sweep is such a natural shot for him. He plays it for fun. It’s no surprise to learn he was a good hockey player at school because it’s like a hockey shot,” Lloyd wrote in his Daily Mail column.

The England opener, who also scored a half-century in the first innings of the Headingley Test, has scored 2621 runs in 34 Tests at a commendable average of 43.68 and a mind-boggling strike rate of 86.19. Meanwhile, Sehwag finished his international career with 8586 runs from 104 Tests at an average of 49.34 and a strike rate of 82.24. Sehwag has the highest strike rate in Test cricket among batters with a minimum of 3000 runs. Duckett can make this record his during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy as he needs 379 runs from four Test matches to enter the 3000-run club.

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The second Test between India and England is scheduled to be held at the iconic Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Wednesday, July 2.