Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has expressed strong disapproval of Ben Duckett’s recent comments on Yashasvi Jaiswal’s aggressive batting in the Rajkot Test. Duckett credited England’s Bazball for influencing the Indian opener’s attacking style of play. Clarke, in response, questioned Duckett’s awareness of the rich history of aggressive Test cricket played by legends like Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, and Adam Gilchrist.

During a press conference on day three, Ben Duckett commented on Jaiswal’s exceptional performance, stating, “He looks like a superstar in the making, unfortunately he’s in some very good form at the moment. When you see players from the opposition playing like that, it almost feels like we should take some credit that they’re playing differently than how other people play Test cricket.”

Michael Clarke, in a conversation with ESPN Australia, criticized Duckett’s perspective, reminding him of the dynamic and aggressive Test cricket played by Australian legends over the past two decades.

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“He must have missed Australia for 20 years. As a youngster, he must not know what Test cricket Australia played. Has he heard of Matthew Hayden, Michael Slater, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist? These guys used to smack it as good as everyone,” Michael Clarke remarked.

Clarke highlighted that playing a reverse sweep or a switch hit doesn’t necessarily define aggressive cricket, referencing how Australian greats like Hayden would straightforwardly hit the ball out of the park without relying on unconventional shots.

“Because you play a reverse sweep or a switch hit or a ramp shot, that doesn’t mean you are batting aggressively either. Matthew Hayden just walked down the wicket and hit you straight over your head for a six. He didn’t have to play a ramp or a switch hit,” Michael Clarke emphasized.

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While critical of Duckett’s comments, Clarke had earlier suggested that England should stick with their Bazball mantra despite external criticism, emphasizing the need for the team to back themselves and play to their strengths.