Ben Duckett has opened up about the incident that led to his dismissal from Australia during the 2017-18 Ashes series. He revealed that James Anderson threw a drink over him first, prompting Duckett to reciprocate. This playful exchange took place at Perth’s Avenue Bar just before the third Test, amidst increasing scrutiny of the England team’s off-field behavior.

Consequences And Suspension

At the time, Duckett was eager to prove himself, having previously earned four Test caps on tours of Bangladesh and India. However, the drink-throwing incident resulted in a fine and suspension from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). He was sent home, which delayed his return to the Lions setup until late 2018.

Context Of The Tour

The England team was already under pressure following Ben Stokes’ affray charge in September of that year. The incident added to the scrutiny, especially after a previous altercation involving Jonny Bairstow and Cameron Bancroft at the same venue. In response, the ECB instituted a permanent midnight curfew for players.

Mixed Reactions From Leadership

Trevor Bayliss, the head coach at the time, expressed his frustration, labeling the incident as trivial but unacceptable given the circumstances. Anderson downplayed the event in his column, emphasizing its silliness, yet the fallout contributed to a narrative of a toxic drinking culture within the team, which faced a 4-0 series defeat.

Duckett’s Growth And Current Success

Now seven years later, Duckett is an established international player. With Anderson retired but still involved as a bowling consultant, Duckett feels comfortable clarifying his side of the story. He described the aftermath of the incident as a lonely experience, especially being away from home at just 22.

Resilience And Future Aspirations

Despite the difficulties, Duckett’s experiences have fostered resilience. Since returning to the Test side at the end of 2022, he has scored 1,980 runs at a strike rate of 88.55, making him one of the top performers in the squad. He averaged over 50 during the recent series against Pakistan and looks forward to contributing to England’s limited-overs setup under new leadership.

Reflecting on his journey, Duckett believes the challenges he faced were integral to his development as a player. He has no regrets about his past, viewing it as a necessary part of his growth in becoming a mainstay in the England team.