Ben Duckett Prioritizes County Cricket After IPL Withdrawal
Ben Duckett's IPL Exit and Focus on County Championship
After stepping back from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, where he was set to play for Delhi Capitals, England opener Ben Duckett expressed optimism that the team management would view his decision positively. Following a disappointing Ashes tour in Australia, Duckett is now concentrating on scoring runs for Nottinghamshire in the upcoming County Championship season.
Duckett's withdrawal leaves Delhi Capitals without a premier T20I opening batsman. He made this decision three days ago to refocus on his English Test career after a challenging Ashes series, where he managed only 202 runs in five Tests at an average of 20.20, with a top score of 42. This series marked the first time since his recall in 2022 that he averaged below 30. Throughout the series, Duckett struggled to convert promising starts into significant scores, often falling victim to the Australian pace attack, particularly Mitchell Starc. Despite finishing the 2025 calendar year with 735 runs in 10 Tests at an average of 40.83, Duckett's Ashes performance significantly impacted his overall statistics.
Looking Ahead to County Cricket and Future with England
In anticipation of the County Championship, Duckett mentioned his intention to connect with head coach Brendon McCullum next week. He stated, "Now that they know I am not going to the IPL, I believe they will see that positively as I look forward in my career." He plans to discuss his future with McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, emphasizing the importance of their relationship.
Duckett is eager to spend quality time with his family and aims to score runs for Nottinghamshire to regain his form ahead of the Test summer, which begins in June against New Zealand. He remarked, "It’s great to have some time at home. For me, it’s straightforward—I want to score runs for Notts and perform to the best of my ability."
Reflections on a Challenging Ashes Series
Duckett expressed disappointment over his performance during the Ashes series, stating he is not proud of it and aspires to win an Ashes series in the future. He acknowledged his growth as a player, having achieved milestones he never anticipated after a rocky start to his career in 2016. Since his recall in 2022, he has established himself as a formidable opener, boasting a Test average close to 40 with over 3,000 runs, six centuries, and 16 fifties.
He also recognized the challenges of opening against the new ball in Australia, citing Joe Root's eventual success after a long wait for a Test century. Duckett noted, "I’ve had a bad series, and I’m not proud of it. But I’ve achieved things in an England shirt I never thought I would. Winning an Ashes series is something I desire, but I understand the difficulties of batting in tough conditions."
Commitment to Fitness and Professionalism
Duckett admitted that he was not in peak condition leading up to the Ashes, having recently married and gone on a honeymoon. He reflected, "I got married and had a honeymoon, and I might have mismanaged that time before the New Zealand ODI series."
After a disappointing performance in New Zealand, Duckett was among the first to arrive in Australia to work on his fitness, while many teammates opted for leisure activities. He emphasized the need for professionalism within the team and his personal commitment to improving his fitness. Duckett stated, "I want to ensure my body is in good shape and that injuries do not hinder my career. Professionalism should be a non-negotiable aspect of our sport."
Addressing Off-Field Challenges
The tour to Australia also presented mental hurdles for Duckett. He faced criticism on social media after a video surfaced showing him appearing intoxicated while trying to return to the team hotel. This incident occurred during a planned break between Tests. Duckett expressed regret over his actions and appreciated the support he received from the cricketing community, including his board and teammates.
"It’s not something any professional athlete should do," Duckett remarked. He acknowledged the timing of the incident and its impact on public perception, stating, "If we were winning, it probably wouldn’t have been news. But I recognize that I should not have put myself in that position. It was a tough time for me, and I’m not proud of it, but I have to move on now."