Professionalism a priority after Ashes - Duckett
England opener Ben Duckett says greater professionalism this summer will be a major "priority" for him following a winter Ashes series blighted by off-the-field issues. Australia clinched the Test series 4-1 to retain the urn but the disappointment of England's defeat was compounded by claims of excessive drinking by players, especially during a break between matches in the coastal town of Noosa. One video which emerged on social media appeared to show Duckett drunk and the 31-year-old acknowledged shortly before the start of the English county season that aspects of his behaviour fell below the required standard.
"If we're winning that series, it's probably not news and no one cares. If Travis Head's in that video, everyone's probably absolutely loving it," Duckett said. "We were struggling as a side, I was struggling as a player.
But you shouldn't be getting yourself or putting yourself in a position like that. Any human being, let alone a professional sportsman. "I think it's no secret that we can definitely tighten up on some areas and I think that will be the case moving forward.
And to be honest, I'm all for it. " Duckett has withdrawn from the Indian Premier League in an attempt to hold on to his place in the England side and will instead play in the early rounds of the County Championship for Nottinghamshire. He is planning to speak to England coach Brendon McCullum in the next couple of weeks but "does not know" if he will be in the XI for the first Test against New Zealand in June.
The left-handed batter struggled for form towards the end of last summer and hit just one half-century in 16 innings across all formats this winter. In the Ashes he made 202 runs in 10 Test innings at 20. 20 with a top score of 42.