Duckett makes first half-century of season for Nottinghamshire

Nottinghamshire and England opening batter Ben Duckett hits first half-century of season to strengthen international Test place; Nottinghamshire respond to Warwickshire's commanding first-innings total 459; Ollie Pope continued to press claims for Test recall with 69 for Surrey vs Essex

Saturday 25 April 2026 23:39, UK

Ben Duckett made his first half-century of the season for Nottinghamshire to help strengthen his position at the top of England's Test order.

The left-hander failed to make a fifty and averaged just 20.20 during the Ashes, with his off-field indiscipline also making headlines, putting his place for the first Test of the summer against New Zealand in June in some doubt.

His first County Championship match of the season yielded scores of 25 and one against Glamorgan but Duckett played patiently at Trent Bridge to help the defending champions respond to Warwickshire's commanding first-innings total of 459 in the Division One clash.

That's a wrap on day two.Joe Clarke hit a defiant 94 and Ben Duckett 62 as Notts ended the day 264-8.Read day two's report 👉 https://t.co/XKwaVlSf9l pic.twitter.com/1IxomXjJ5t

Haseeb Hameed's hopes of an international recall appear slim as his tough start to the campaign continued with a 14-ball duck, as Ben Slater soon followed for 26.

But Duckett and Joe Clarke shared a 116-run stand to steer Notts away from trouble. Duckett gifted his wicket away for 62 on the stroke of tea, driving loosely at a looping delivery from Rob Yates and picking out Chris Woakes at mid on.

Ollie Pope continued to press his claims for a Test recall with 69 for Surrey at home to Essex.

Pope also endured a difficult Ashes series and was dropped after the third Test in Adelaide, with his replacement Jacob Bethell making a brilliant century in the final match in Sydney.

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The 28-year-old said ahead of the season that he was told to "go back and score lots of runs" and he followed up scores of 103 and 83 not out against Leicestershire with another impressive display against Essex.

At the Kia Oval, a patient Ollie Pope moves to his third half-century of the season from 98 balls. 🤝Surrey 109/2. 🔗 https://t.co/7hVxSTA822🤎 | #CountyChampionship pic.twitter.com/uaAEKzpKyy

In response to Essex's 409 all out, Surrey lost Rory Burns and in-form England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith cheaply but Pope rebuilt alongside Dom Sibley - also hoping to put himself in the Test frame.

The pair shared a 105-run stand before Pope miscued a drive straight back to Jamie Porter.