The opener’s sensational 149 on the final day in Leeds that inspired his team’s successful pursuit of 371 was the finest moment of his career to date.
That’s because in December 2017, he became the unwitting lightning rod for criticism of an England regime that had been accused of being out of control during a crisis-ridden Ashes tour after he was suspended and banned for pouring a drink over James Anderson in Perth’s notorious Avenue Bar.
It's a CENTURY for Ben Duckett pic.twitter.com/yB78yo3PfF
It made no difference that Anderson had invited Duckett to pour the drink on his head.
Duckett, 23 at the time, was in Australia with England Lions, who were playing a tour match against the Ashes squad.
It didn’t help, though, when in a separate incident Duckett vomited on Bayliss during a flight.
Duckett’s Test career began inauspiciously before the James Anderson incident (Photo: Getty)
“Dealing with what I had to deal with probably made me a little bit more resilient and a bit tougher.”
If any of those three variables had been different, it’s doubtful whether he would be in the England team now.
Duckett spent the winter of 2019-20 in the indoor nets at Trent Bridge in an attempt to take his game to the next level.
“He then came back after a winter doing the work and was our Player of the Season.”
Duckett found a new lease of life at Nottinghamshire after that difficult time in Australia (Photo: Getty)Since then, Duckett has averaged 47 in Tests, scored six centuries and established himself in England’s white-ball teams, with his 165 from 143 balls in a losing cause against Australia at the Champions Trophy in February underlining his importance across all formats.
And it is the Bazball regime that has allowed Duckett to flourish. Speaking during England’s tour of Pakistan last October, the 30-year-old said: “I haven’t changed the way I’ve played coming into this side.
Duckett was named Player of the Match for his contribution in Leeds against India (Photo: Getty)
Duckett is a different man from the one who hit rock bottom in Australia eight years ago – watching him with his baby daughter, Margot, on the Headingley outfield after his heroics against India illustrated that.
Before then, though, we should just enjoy watching a player at the top of his game this summer.
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