Ben Duckett Commits to Professionalism After Ashes Struggles
Ben Duckett acknowledges his off-field missteps during the Ashes and expresses a commitment to becoming more professional to extend his England career. Following a video that surfaced showing him appearing intoxicated during a mid-series break in Noosa, Duckett admits there are "no excuses" for his behavior amid ongoing drinking-related issues affecting the team this winter. On the pitch, Duckett's performance was subpar, averaging just 20.20 in Australia with a top score of 42, contributing to the team's 4-1 defeat in the series. He also missed out on playing during England's journey to the T20 World Cup semi-finals. Reflecting on his struggles, Duckett stated, "I have to be better at dealing with being in the public eye... that is certainly no excuse for some of my actions." He emphasized his desire to prolong his career without the hindrance of injuries, stating, "When my England career comes to an end, I want that to be down to lack of runs and not injuries." Duckett expressed disappointment over his Ashes performance, saying, "It wasn't the campaign I was hoping for... Australia's bowling unit was incredibly difficult." Looking ahead, Duckett believes England must tighten their game while maintaining a positive approach. He stressed the importance of making Test cricket exciting again and achieving consistent results. "We have to stick with what works for us and tighten up around areas like closing out and winning more games," he concluded.
Source: Sky Sports - 2026-04-01