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[Saba Sports News] The controversy surrounding Ben Duckett’s unusual remarks about Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal continues to intensify, with Australian cricket icon Michael Clarke recently criticizing the England batsman’s perspective.
Clarke expressed disbelief at Duckett’s apparent ignorance of Australia’s aggressive batting legacy, citing legends like Matthew Hayden, Michael Slater, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, and Adam Gilchrist, who were known for their powerful hitting.
“Just because you play innovative shots doesn’t mean you’re batting aggressively. Hayden didn’t need fancy shots to dominate; he could simply hit you over your head for six,” Clarke commented.
This dispute was fueled further by Duckett’s statements following Jaiswal’s back-to-back double centuries against England in Rajkot, suggesting England’s style might have influenced Jaiswal’s approach. However, former England captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Vaughan have criticized Duckett’s views, emphasizing Jaiswal’s own hard work and talent.
Hussain specifically dismissed the idea that Jaiswal learned from England, instead crediting his upbringing and IPL experience. He advised the England team to reflect and learn from Jaiswal’s performance rather than claiming any influence over it. Vaughan echoed these sentiments, highlighting the arrogance in Duckett’s comments and cautioning against disrespecting the nuances of Test cricket, including the strategic value of draws.
Jaiswal’s prowess was on full display in Rajkot, where he showcased an ability to switch gears and dominate England’s bowlers, particularly James Anderson, whom he targeted for three consecutive sixes in one over. His performance not only demonstrated his skill but also set records, matching Wasim Akram for the most sixes in a Test innings and becoming the first Indian to score double centuries in consecutive matches against England.
The dialogue around Duckett’s comments and Jaiswal’s achievements underscores a broader conversation about the evolution of batting in Test cricket and the influence of T20 skills in the traditional format.