Schoolboy Duckett's three-year deal

By Paul Bolton, County News Corresppondent

Northamptonshire have secured the services of England Under-19  wicketkeeper Ben Duckett on a three-year contract. The 17-year-old is still involved in A-level studies at Stowe School in Buckinghamshire but Northamptonshire expect him to challenge David Murphy for a first team place when he is available for county duty in  the second half of next season.

“Ben will have every opportunity to progress here. He will have just turned 18 and he could have a big future,” said Northamptonshire chief executive David Smith.

“David Murphy is our first choice keeper at the minute and possession is nine-tenths of the law but if Ben works hard then he could force his way in. We’ve now got a good balance with the number of batsmen in the squad. We did have one too many, but now there will be the right amount of competition.”

Duckett made his senior debut for Northamptonshire last season in their Friends Life t20 match against Gloucestershire at Wantage Road. He played for England Under-19s in their disappointing ICC Under-19 World Cup campaign in Queensland in August.


Date: 19/10/2012 11:03:00 by Paul Bolton
In: Today | Northamptonshire |