Ben Duckett has stated nothing will change in his approach as he seeks to continue a run of form that has seen him score four fifties and a hundred in his six Nottinghamshire innings so far this season.
The left-hander is Notts’ top LV= Insurance County Championship run scorer with 430, and is part of a 13-man squad traveling to Lord’s to face Middlesex.
Nottinghamshire are without Dane Paterson due to back stiffness, with Joey Evison also unavailable for selection due to injury and Jake Ball currently continuing his comeback from a long-term layoff in Second XI cricket. Zak Chappell has, meanwhile, joined Gloucestershire on loan.
“I felt good coming into the season, so the key was not to change too much, and let things take care of themselves in the middle,” Duckett said.
“Particularly when you’re in a good run of form, it can be easy to over-analyse what you’ve been doing that has worked particularly well, but I feel in a good place with my game and it’s important to let that flow when you’re going alright.
“I’m fortunate that there are a lot of players around me who can win games with the bat, and we’ll all have our good days through the season. What is important is that, when I get myself in a good position, I go on to get big scores that can influence games - that is my goal.”
On a broader level, Duckett believes that Notts can capitalise upon the momentum built by their five wicket win over Worcestershire in their last fixture.
The Green and Golds have since enjoyed a rest week which the top-order batter believes has come at a good time.
“The perfect response to that Glamorgan defeat a few weeks ago was to follow it up with two convincing wins, and that’s what we’ve done.
“We’ll have games where not everything goes to plan, and it’ll come down to how we respond. That game against Durham, in particular, showed how resilient we are.
“The nature of County Championship cricket is that it takes a lot out of you physically and mentally. That little break has energised us. We’re raring to go again, and the atmosphere and intensity at training has reflected that.”
Notts haven’t played at the Home of Cricket since their Royal London Cup triumph in 2017, and 2015 was the last time the Green and Golds met Middlesex in First-Class cricket.
The opportunity to play at Lord’s is one Duckett, who has played three red-ball games at Middlesex’s home, is very much looking forward to.
“We’re lucky to play at a ground like Trent Bridge that has a special feel to it, regardless of the game that is being played, and I think Lord’s is in that bracket too.
“We haven’t had the chance to play there too much recently, so it’s exciting to get that opportunity. Personally speaking, it would be great to get a score there.
“Obviously, it won’t be easy. They’ve had a good start to their season, and have got a talented line-up. But you’ve only got to look at our side and the experience and talent we possess.
“We are very capable of going there and getting a result, in what could be a really interesting match.”
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