February 15, 2025: England’s left-handed opener, Ben Duckett, has been confirmed fit and available for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, starting from February 19, after undergoing scans for a groin injury sustained during the third and final ODI against India in Ahmedabad.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) issued a statement confirming that Duckett, who had top-scored for England during the series with 131 runs in three matches, is ready to take part in the tournament.
Duckett sustained the injury while fielding during the first innings of the third ODI, but scans showed no major concerns. The batter, who boasts an impressive ODI record with 831 runs in 19 matches since his debut in 2016, remains a key part of England’s squad for the prestigious tournament.
With the Champions Trophy on the horizon, England will be eager to make a strong showing, especially after underwhelming performances in the 2023 World Cup and T20 World Cup in 2024. The team, led by captain Jos Buttler, will be looking for redemption in this high-profile competition.
England will kick off their Champions Trophy campaign against Australia on February 22 in Lahore, followed by matches against Afghanistan and South Africa. Duckett, who has two centuries and six fifties to his name in ODIs, will be an essential part of the batting lineup as England aims to perform well in the eight-team tournament.
England’s full squad for the Champions Trophy includes Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, and Mark Wood.