Ben Duckett Opens Up About Controversial Incident with James Anderson During Ashes
Reflecting on the incident, Duckett shared how challenging that period was for him, particularly as a 22-year-old trying to break into the national team. "It was a really, really tough time. People look back and it's probably funny and stuff like that. But when you're in Australia and you're kind of being told you can't go to training, you can't play - it's a lonely place for a 22-year-old," he explained.
Ben Duckett has shed light on a controversial episode in his career that led to his dismissal from the England team during the 2017-18 Ashes series in Australia. The England opener revealed that the incident, which involved him pouring a drink over James Anderson, was more complex than initially reported. Duckett explained that Anderson had thrown a drink over him first, then encouraged him to reciprocate, a moment that ultimately spiraled out of control.
At the time, Duckett was part of the England Lions tour, eager to add to his four Test caps from previous tours of Bangladesh and India. The incident occurred at Perth's Avenue Bar just before the third Test, with England already down 2-0 in the series and facing intense scrutiny for their off-field behavior. This was compounded by prior incidents, such as Jonny Bairstow's headbutt on Cameron Bancroft, which had already raised alarms about the team's conduct.
As a result of Duckett's actions, he was sent home with a fine and suspension from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The fallout included the establishment of a permanent midnight curfew, initially implemented after the Bairstow incident, aimed at curbing the team's off-field antics.
In an interview on The Final Word podcast, Duckett recalled the details of that night, stating, "Jimmy actually threw a drink on me, but no one knows about that. And then said, 'oh, we're just messing around. You can just lob one on my head. That's fine.' Genuinely." He then went on to pour a drink on Anderson, which caught the attention of an ECB security guard, leading to the incident being reported and Duckett facing consequences.
Reflecting on the incident, Duckett shared how challenging that period was for him, particularly as a 22-year-old trying to break into the national team. "It was a really, really tough time. People look back and it's probably funny and stuff like that. But when you're in Australia and you're kind of being told you can't go to training, you can't play - it's a lonely place for a 22-year-old," he explained.
Despite the tough experience, Duckett has managed to turn his career around since then. He has become a regular in the England Test side, with his performance speaking for itself. Since returning to the Test setup at the end of 2022, he has amassed 1,980 runs at an impressive strike rate of 88.55, making him one of the leading run-scorers for England.
Duckett's resilience has been evident, particularly in the recent 2-1 series defeat to Pakistan, where he was one of the few players to average over 50. As he prepares for a vital role in England's white-ball setup under new head coach Brendon McCullum, Duckett acknowledges how the incident and its aftermath shaped him into a more resilient player.
Reflecting on his growth, he stated, "It does make you grow up a little bit faster... I wouldn’t change much of it because, where I am right now, when I play for England, it’s like I don’t want to give that shirt to anyone else."
Duckett concluded by admitting that while he hasn't always been a "saint," the experience has taught him valuable lessons about responsibility and perseverance, highlighting how personal challenges can foster growth and resilience in one's career.
