A disciplined approach pays off for Duckett

Rob Newton was the first man out on the last day as the County suffered a big defeat

The 19-year-old notched a career-best 56 in the innings and 84-run reverse to the Londoners to give the supporters something to applaud and he acknowledged that he had to work hard for his rewards.

He said: “It was quite tough as it was a different situation to what I’d normally bat in.

“I enjoyed batting with Ian Butler at the end as he knew what he was doing and I could take stuff on board from him.

“It was nipping a little bit and (Toby) Roland-Jones bowled really well but it was still a good pitch.

“I knew I was going to get a lot of short stuff (having been caught hooking in the first innings) but I changed my stance so I could get under the ball and that worked so I’ll look to use it in the next game as well.”

As for the result, Duckett, who was half of a lengthy eighth-wicket partnership with Butler that took the game into the afternoon session after the loss of three early wickets, feels that a more conservative approach from the top order may have enabled them to get more from the contest.

“If we’d have done that sort of thing from earlier on we might have had a chance of getting a draw today so that’s slightly frustrating,” he added.

In his three appearances this campaign, Duckett has played solely as a batsman with David Murphy taking the gloves but that is a role that he wants to take in the future.

He said: “In red ball cricket I’m fine at seven because I’m still learning my game but I want to be the keeper and bat at seven.”