Ben Duckett has withdrawn from the Indian Premier League to maintain his place in England after a tough winter.
The left-handed pitcher was widely touted as the world’s best all-format opener not too long ago, but a sudden dip in form towards the end of last summer affected him over the winter, with him scoring just one run above 50 in 16 innings.
The Ashes’ top scorer of 42, who was not selected in England’s recent T20 World Cup campaign in India and Sri Lanka, was compounded by the fact that he was unknowingly filmed drunk during the mid-series break in Noosa and the video was posted online.
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England captain Ben Stokes has pledged support for underfire opener Ben Duckett after backlash on social media.
After a long winter away and under intense scrutiny, especially in the Test side, Duckett has informed Delhi Capitals of his decision to withdraw from the IPL, which starts on Saturday.
“I’m really keen to play for England in all three formats for as long as possible,” Duckett told the Daily Telegraph. “I hope that in 10 years’ time I will look back on this and think it was a pivotal moment in my career and I made the right decision. I will do everything I can to prepare for England.”
Duckett wrote on his Instagram Story that not going to the IPL was a “very difficult decision” and one that had been “thought a lot.”
“It’s been a dream of mine since I was a child to represent England,” he added. “I want to give my all to England cricket.
“To do that, we need to make sure we are in the best possible shape physically and mentally for the summer.
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Watch Prime Duckett make six amazing reverse pull shots…
“I would like to sincerely apologize to everyone at Derry. I am truly excited about the opportunity to represent the franchise and am deeply grateful for the time and planning that has gone into building this team.”
“I apologize for any confusion my decision may have caused. I also want to apologize to my fans, as I know how much it means to everyone in Derry.”
Overseas players who are auctioned off without a valid reason such as injury risk suspension, so Duckett’s decision means he could once again be disqualified from the IPL until 2029 and potentially miss out on this year’s £200,000 salary.
England’s white-ball captain Harry Brook is in a similar position. Last year, he also decided to withdraw from his Delhi duties for the second year in a row to focus on international cricket.
Duckett will return to Nottinghamshire to work with head coach Peter Moores to correct fundamental flaws in his batting and play in the County Championship ahead of England’s first Test of the summer against New Zealand, which begins on June 4.
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Rob Key has come under fire for England’s break against Noosa between the second and third Ashes Tests, claiming it was like a “stag do” and believes there is no drinking culture within the team.
The 31-year-old revealed he has already started working with England fitness coach Peter Sims to get into the best possible shape.
“I learned a lot last year,” he said. “From how I was being described during the India series last summer to how I am being described now, it is a tremendous drop.
“It was tough for me not to play in the World Cup and to be on the sidelines in India after such a tough Ashes series. But it lit a big fire in my belly to go forward. I don’t know where I stand and what’s going to happen.”
Duckett also admitted regret over what happened at Noosa, where there were reports of excessive drinking by a number of players. England have since imposed a midnight curfew on their players.
“I’m sorry about that incident,” he added. “It was unprofessional and should not have happened. There is no getting away from this incident.”
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