Exclusive: Ben Duckett opens up on fatherhood and past failures
England opener Ben Duckett shares how becoming a father has helped him find perspective, juggle cricket and family life, and refocus after games, especially ahead of the Pakistan tour.
Image Credits: Castore
England opener Ben Duckett revealed becoming a father has helped him put his failures at the crease behind him.
Alongside fiancée Paige, Duckett welcomed the arrival of daughter Margot during the series against West Indies in the summer.
The bustling left-hander, who turns 30 on Thursday, now has to juggle the responsibility of scoring runs at the top of the order for his country with changing dirty nappies — and he certainly knows which is easier!
“It's been different for so many different reasons,” Duckett, who scored 84 off 75 balls during England’s incredible victory in the first Test against Pakistan, exclusively told SportsBoom. com.
“It's the most amazing thing in the world, but it can be challenging especially with the sleep in between.
“But I've found it really switches me off between games. I don't spend as long in between games dwelling on what's happened.
“Even if I've had a good game, it certainly brings you straight back to reality when you walk through the door and you've got to change a nappy or do a feed.
“It’s a different challenge, but certainly an amazing one.
You hear things in the past where players have babies and then they go on to find a different level. I think it's completely right. Your perspective on life changes massively. Suddenly, there's something more important than cricket and scoring runs.
Ben Duckett
England thrashed Pakistan 3-0 on their previous tour to the country in 2022.
It was a trip which marked Duckett’s return to the Test stage following a six-year hiatus.
Brendon McCullum picked the aggressive opener, deemed a sub-continent specialist due to his ability to play spin, as part of his ‘Bazball’ revolution.
Duckett well and truly took his chance with both hands with a maiden Test century in his first match back.
He followed that up with three further fifties as he racked up 357 runs at an average of over 70 and has not looked back since.
The Nottinghamshire ace overcame a brutal blow on the thumb, whilst taking the catch to end Pakistan’s first innings, to score 85 during England’s record-breaking 823/7 declared in Multan.
“It’s a really exciting month for me being back in Pakistan,” admitted Duckett.
“It’s the place where I restarted my England career and I had success there so it does hold good memories for me. It's always nice going back to places where you have done well.
“When you do well against a team you say them your strengths and also your weaknesses.
“I’m sure it will be a little bit tougher this time. They know my scoring areas and will have plans to try and overcome that.
“What we achieved in Pakistan the last time we were out here was incredible and we want to do that again.”
The second Test kicks off in Multan on Tuesday morning before the third and final game in Rawalpindi next week.
Ben Duckett is an athlete for the British performance brand Castore (castore.com)
Shane is a respected journalist who has covered a range of sports for a number of years.