Northamptonshire batsman Ben Duckett‘s breakthrough campaign saw him become the first player to be named players’ player of the year and young player of the year in the same season by England’s Professional Cricketers’ Association on Wednesday. The uncapped 21-year-old left-hander will travel with England to Bangladesh this week on his first full international tour after a prolific campaign in county cricket. Duckett’s excellence helped Northamptonshire win the Twenty20 Blast and he also amassed 1,338 runs in the County Championship Second Division.
His season featured a host of highlights, including two unbeaten double-centuries: 282 in the Championship against Sussex in April, and 220 from just 131 balls for England Lions against Sri Lanka A in July. The England selectors took note and have included him in their squads for both the one-day international and Test legs of the Bangladesh tour. “I can’t keep the smile off my face,” said Duckett, who was also named young player of the year by the Cricket Writers’ Club a day earlier. “I wasn’t expecting this. To be nominated for both awards was an honour in itself, so to win them both is something very special,” he said. Duckett added, “I got my England call-ups, and so many other things have happened. If someone had said at the start of the season that all this would happen I wouldn’t have believed it.” READ: Gareth Batty returns to England Test squad after 11 years for Bangladesh tour; Joe Root rested for ODI series
“What makes the PCA awards so special is that you are voted for by your peers — people you play against vote for you, and that means a lot to me,” explained Duckett. “Most of the guys who have won the awards in the past have played for England or in international cricket — so to follow them is a very great honour,” he said.
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