Ben Duckett and his partner welcomed their first child on Wednesday, meaning the England opener is likely to be available for selection for the final Test of the three-match series between England and West Indies.
There were reports of Duckett missing the Trent Bridge Test despite being named in the XI initially, as he and his partner were expecting the birth of their first child. As a precautionary measure, England had named Dan Lawrence as a standby.
However, the England opener featured in the match, starring with a 59-ball 71 in the first innings, helping England record the fastest fifty in Test cricket in just 4.2 overs. The left-hand batter capped off the match with another rapid knock in the 70s, this time ending with a 92-ball 76.
Duckett and partner welcome first child
Duckett left the England squad after the second Test against the West Indies to be with his partner Paige Ogborne. On Wednesday, they were blessed with their daughter, Margot. England Cricket took to X to congratulate the couple.
Congratulations to @BenDuckett1 and his partner, Paige, on the birth of their daughter, Margot 👶
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 24, 2024
A new member of the @EnglandCricket family 🥰 pic.twitter.com/hvguomVbfs
The news meant Duckett is expected to be available for the third and final Test at Edgbaston from July 26. However, an official confirmation is yet to come.
England aim whitewash
England will enter the final Test with a 2-0 lead, having sealed the three-match series after defeating the West Indies comprehensively at Trent Bridge.
In the first innings, England's bowling effort was headlined by a hair-rasing spell from Mark Wood, who broke his record of bowling the fastest Test spell for them on home soil in the ball-tracking era.
20-year-old off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was the star performer with the ball in the second innings, taking 5-41 to skittle out the tourists for just 143 runs. England won the match by 241 runs.
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