Duckett faces surgery on finger injury and 12 weeks out of action

The England international, who sustained a problem with his left ring finger during the 2017 county season, will go under the knife on Monday, the ECB have confirmed

^{Ben Duckett faces finger surgery}

Ben Duckett will undergo a finger operation next week and could be sidelined for as long as 12 weeks.

The England international, who sustained a problem with his left ring finger during the 2017 county season, will go under the knife on Monday, the ECB have confirmed.

He may need up to three months to recover, meaning his availability for Northamptonshire's early-season red-ball matches is in doubt.

An ECB statement read: "Ben Duckett is due to have surgery on the ring finger of his left hand next Monday, having initially sustained the injury in the field at the end of the 2017 season. He is likely to be ruled out for around 12 weeks".

Northants face Oxford MCCU on April 7 before opening their Division Two campaign against Middlesex at Lord's the following week.

^{Duckett fractured his finger in two places last season}

Clashes with Warwickshire and Durham complete the April fixture list, and Duckett could potentially now miss each.

Duckett fractured his finger in two places during the latter weeks of the last County Championship campaign and missed the final match of the term against Leicestershire.

He was included on England Lions' trip to Australia but was suspended from playing following an incident in a Perth bar, when he reportedly poured a beer over Jimmy Anderson.

Duckett received a formal written warning and a fine as a result of his actions.