Infotainment Factory: 'Niggly' comment adds fuel to Ashes fire

The last time Ben Duckett was scheduled to play against Australia, he was suspended by the England Cricket Board in 2017 after pouring a drink over James Anderson in a Perth bar.

Now, the rejuvenated England opener has opened up on his hope for a 'niggly series' as he prepares for this year's Ashes.

Duckett, who made his Test debut against Bangladesh in 2016, ended a six-year exile from the side when he returned for England's 2022/23 series' against Pakistan and New Zealand.

With hopes of playing in the upcoming Ashes series, the opener has thrown fuel on the fire after bowler Ollie Robinson previously said England could give Australia 'a good hiding'.

"I hope it's one of those niggly series," Duckett told BBC Sport.

"Lots of players play with each other around the world now in franchise cricket so it's a tad more friendly than it was 10 or 15 years ago, but I can't imagine that they're going to come in and be friendly to us.

"I'm sure, as the next few months go on, there will be a lot more chat around it and I'm sure the Aussies will be giving an answer to what he [Robinson] said."

While much of the focus from England's recent form has come down to coach Brendon McCullum's Bazball philosophy of attacking batting, its bowling has also improved since the 4-0 2021/22 series loss to Australia.

In 2022, 36-year-old Stuart Broad took 40 wickets at 25.75 while fellow veteran James Anderson had 27 at 17.66. Robinson himself grabbed 23 wickets at 18.17.

The Ashes series will be a true test for England's bowling though with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland and Michael Neser all likely to be available.

Despite Australia's prowess, Duckett said the Bazball method won't be changed too much.

"Australia are probably the best bowling attack in the world, but we'll have our methods of scoring against them and it won't be dissimilar to what you saw from us over the winter," he said.

"You do have to adjust to different pitches and bowling attacks, but the way I play is the same.

"I've been allowed to go and do that under Stokesy and Baz [McCullum] and in my opinion, that's why I've had the success that I have.

"I've been able to go out and play freely, always look to score and put the pressure back on the bowlers - and I will continue to do that."

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