Last Updated on 1 week by Charbel Coorey
Ben Duckett’s 165 in the Champions Trophy against Australia impressed one and all, but Herschelle Gibbs wasn’t one of them. The former South Africa batsman believes Duckett cost England the game due to the amount of deliveries he played for the runs he scored.
“2 examples in the space of a few weeks in ODIs, where batters facing 140-plus balls end up losing. Face that many balls you must have atleast 190-200,” Gibbs wrote on X.
The other example Gibbs is referring to was Matthew Breetzke in the tri-series against New Zealand on February 10. Breetzke achieved the highest individual score by any player on ODI debut, notching up 150 off 148 balls in Lahore. New Zealand went on to chase South Africa’s 304/6 with six wickets and eight balls to spare.
Herschelle Gibbs critical of Ben Duckett innings against Australia
Ben Duckett was dismissed for 165 off 143 balls. He displayed control right throughout the innings, enabling England to think of pushing towards 400 at one stage.
One fan replied to Gibbs saying, “It’s hard to say that England should’ve scored more runs after they scored 350. They should’ve won after scoring 350, needed to take their catches and I’m afraid their bowling was not that good and dew didn’t help. Bowling too dependent on Adil Rashid.”
However, Gibbs pinned the focus on Duckett as he faced 140+ deliveries. “Duckett cost them the game.. scored too slow mate.. They [England] should have got to atleast 380.. same with Breetzke the other day [against New Zealand on February 10],” replied Gibbs.
However, Jos Buttler (23 off 21 balls) and Liam Livingstone (14 off 17 balls) failed to get going. Had one displayed the kind of finishing ability they have, England would have reached 380+ even with Duckett’s final strike rate of 115.38. But, Gibbs’ view is the set player must do more in today’s game.
“Blimey Herschelle. I think you’re being a bit harsh, that defeat wasn’t on Duckett,” replied fan Sean Mallis. “Seamers too expensive on the day and no one else played that T20 style cameo we needed to get too 380 -400.”
Gibbs then reaffirmed his position, stating that 140+ balls in today’s cricket needs to yield more runs. “Mate Breetzke faced 147 balls and got 150 and they also lost the other day,” he wrote. “You face that many balls in today’s cricket you have to get 200-plus.”
Australia chased down 351/8 with ease in the end, with the one-dimensional attack hurting England. Josh Inglis’ 86-ball 120* won him the man of the match award. He and Alex Carey combined for a partnership that took Australia from a 19% chance of winning to favouritism. Glenn Maxwell then helped finish the job.
As a result, England face a must-win scenario in their second match of the 2025 Champions Trophy on Wednesday, also at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. It will be interesting to see their approach against an Afghanistan side also desperate for a win after losing their opener against South Africa.
Will Jos Buttler’s team aim for controlled aggression again or will it be an all out attack? Time will tell.
