Ben Duckett is riding the crest of a wave in Bangladesh.
Fresh from two fifties in the ODI series, the Northants batsman top scored with 60 before retiring at lunch in the final warm-up match to further stake a claim for Thursday’s opening Test against the hosts.
Add in another half-century in the first warm-up and you have a strong case for selection.
As for where in the order Duckett – who turned 22 on Monday – sees himself if he does make his Test bow in three days’ time, the left-hander is happy to slot in wherever he’s needed.
“Playing for England is a dream for me and every other cricketer. Wherever I do slide in in that side, if I do get picked then I'll be happy wherever.
“These couple of days have helped me – getting used to the heat, the conditions and the way that they bowl. I definitely feel ready.
“All I can hope for is, if there is a spot, that I take that opportunity and try and score as many runs as I can for the team.”
.@BenDuckett1 with 60 & @HaseebHameed97 57* in the warm-up game
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 17, 2016
Scorecard:https://t.co/w8qU1PBNCF pic.twitter.com/IZwrudtY6M
Captain Alastair Cook joined up with the rest of the Test squad today following the birth of his second child and Duckett for one is glad to have the skipper back on board.
Speaking about Cook’s return he said: “[It’s great] for the country and the team to have the captain there to lead us. He’s an exceptional player and has been for many years.
“Out here in these conditions, you know you can use that experience, especially for a player like me and Has [Haseeb Hameed] as well, he’s someone we can look up to and feed off.”
Duckett has impressed with his positive play and is keen to meet the spin challenge coming the team’s way: “I haven’t actually faced a lot of spin in the last couple of games here so I’ll probably have to get in the nets in the next couple of days and face more spin because I only batted for the first session against the majority of seamers.
“Obviously it’s going to be very different facing their spinners out here.
“It’s a challenge that I look forward to.”
Challenges and opportunities abound then and, if Thursday begins with the presentation of a Test cap, you can safely assume this will be one of Duckett's more memorable birthday weeks.