Duckett’s 105 against Pakistan held together a poor England innings, here he was relentless.
With very little swing or seam action on offer, Duckett was able to back off to strip anything off the stumps and gracefully took the ball off his pads when Sri Lanka were forced to settle further.
They also tried experimenting with the short ball, but he was particularly productive against it as the Mariners lacked the pace to really trouble him.
It was also an impressive display of fitness from a player who spoke of how hard he had worked in that part of his game, falling down the wrong ramp in 42nd as fatigue took its toll.
Duckett is enjoying the opening with Banton: the pair have stands of 143, 6, 91, 74, 4 and 163 in their last six outings. That and Banton’s form gave the England selectors an interesting conundrum over Jacob Bethel’s return from injury in Australia.
Bethell had previously shared the opening spot with Duckett, but Banton, who has scored five fifties in his last six overs, looks set for this round despite some frustrations as he failed to hit three figures when the conditions were so favourable.
England coach Brendon McCullum told Sky Sports after the game: “You want options and lads to make their case when they get the chance.”
“They are good challenges for us. We will learn more about it in Australia, but we will always do what is right for the team depending on the conditions and the opponents.”
Bethell’s versatility could potentially see him find a place in the middle order, but it’s an encouraging sign of England’s impressive white-ball depth, with it unclear who could replace Root, Brook and Jacks, with Jordan Cox needed as wicketkeeper in Jos Buttler’s absence.