Ben Duckett has pulled out of the Indian Premier League in a bid to keep hold of his England place following a dire winter.
The left-hander was widely touted as the world’s best all-format opener not so long ago but a nosedive in form towards the end of last summer bled into the winter, where he made just one score north of fifty in 16 innings.
A top score of 42 in the Ashes was compounded by him being unwittingly filmed and seemingly drunk during a mid-series break in Noosa, with the video posted online, while he was an unused squad member in England’s recent T20 World Cup campaign in India and Sri Lanka.
Following a long winter on the road and with scrutiny on his spot in the Test side, in particular, Duckett has informed Delhi Capitals of his decision to withdraw from the IPL, which starts on Saturday.
“I’m desperate to play all three formats for England for as long as I can,” Duckett told the Daily Telegraph. “This is a decision I hope I will look back on in 10 years and see as a pivotal moment in my career, and the right decision. I will be doing everything I can to be ready for England.”
Writing on his Instagram stories, Duckett also described not going to the IPL as an “extremely difficult decision” and one that he had “given a lot of thought”.
“Representing England is something I have dreamed of since I was a child,” he added. “I want to give everything I can to English cricket.
“To do that, I need to ensure I am in the best possible place physically and mentally ahead of the summer.
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Watch prime Duckett hit this brilliant reverse pull shot for six…
“I would like to sincerely apologise to everyone at Delhi. I was genuinely very excited about the opportunity to represent the franchise, and I fully appreciate the time and planning that goes into building a squad.
“I’m sorry for any disruption my decision may cause. I would also like to apologise to all the fans as I know how much it means to everyone in Delhi.”
Overseas players who make themselves unavailable after being purchased at auction without valid reasons, such as injury, run the risk of a ban, so Duckett’s decision means he could be ineligible for the IPL again until 2029, as well as missing out on a £200,000 payday this year.
England white-ball captain Harry Brook is in a similar position. Last year, he also decided to withdraw from a stint with Delhi for the second year running in order to focus on international cricket.
Duckett intends to return to Nottinghamshire and fix any underlying flaws in his batting alongside head coach Peter Moores with the view to playing in the County Championship ahead of England’s first Test of the summer against New Zealand, starting on June 4.
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Rob Key believes there isn’t a drinking culture within the team, after England received criticism for their break to Noosa, between the second and third Ashes Test, following claims it was like a ‘stag do’
The 31-year-old revealed he has already started working with England fitness coach Peter Sims to get himself in the best shape possible.
“I’ve learnt a lot in the last year,” he said. “Going from how I was being spoken about during the India series last summer, to how I am spoken about now. That’s a ridiculously big dip.
“Not playing in the World Cup and being on the sidelines in India after such a tough Ashes series was a struggle for me. But it’s lit a massive fire in my belly moving forward. I don’t know where I stand, or what is to come.”
Duckett also admitted his regret at what happened in Noosa, where there were reports of excessive drinking by a number of players. England have since slapped a midnight curfew on players.
“I am sorry for that incident,” he added. “It was not professional and shouldn’t have happened. There is no hiding away from it.”
Watch England’s home international summer live on Sky Sports, starting with a three-Test series against New Zealand from June 4. Not got Sky? Stream cricket contract-free on NOW.
