Ben Duckett Reveals Truth Behind Ashes Incident with James Anderson

Ben Duckett's career took a dramatic turn in 2017-18 when he was sent home from the Ashes tour after an incident involving James Anderson. Now, seven years later, Duckett has revealed the full story behind the incident, shedding light on the events that led to his suspension.

Duckett, then a promising young batsman, was part of the Lions tour at the time. The incident occurred at Perth's Avenue Bar, where England players were under intense scrutiny for their off-field behavior. Anderson, a senior member of the team, allegedly threw a drink on Duckett, who then retaliated by pouring a drink on Anderson's head.

The incident was witnessed by an ECB security guard, who reported it to the management. Head coach Trevor Bayliss was furious, calling it "unacceptable" in the current climate. Anderson downplayed the incident in his Telegraph column, but the ECB took a hard stance, imposing a fine and suspension on Duckett.

Duckett feared his England career was over. He was isolated in Australia, unable to train or play. The time difference and lack of support from home made it a difficult time for the 22-year-old. However, the incident also forced him to grow up quickly and develop resilience.

Duckett's subsequent emergence as an England regular has allowed him to put a positive spin on that period of his career. He has become a mainstay across all three formats, with over 1980 Test runs since returning to the side in 2022. He is also set to play a vital role in the rejuvenation of England's limited overs set-up.

While Duckett acknowledges that his actions were not ideal, he believes the experience made him a stronger and more determined player. He is grateful for the support he received from his teammates during that difficult time and is now focused on making the most of his opportunity to represent England.

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