Jimmy: Duckett bar prank not malicious
JAMES Anderson says the incident that saw England Lions batsman Ben Duckett pour a drink over the Lancashire star’s head was ‘blown out of proportion.’
Northamptonshire’s Duckett was suspended from the remainder of the Lions tour after his prank on England’s all-time leading wickettaker, which took place at the same bar in Perth where Jonny Bairstow delivered his ‘head-butt’ greeting for Australia opener Cameron Bancroft.
Both incidents have occurred during an Ashes tour that sees England trail 2-0 with three Tests to play, and less than three months after vice-captain Ben Stokes was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm outside a Bristol nightclub.
Anderson is aware the players are under bigger scrutiny now than ever, but downplayed what happened with Duckett.
“The incident with Ben Duckett was not malicious and was a bit of a non-event, but we understand that in this climate we have to be smarter in the future,” he wrote in his national newspaper column.
“The frustrating thing is that what was a pretty silly incident would have gone unnoticed before, but now puts an unfair question mark over our culture.
“We are not those type of people. Five players from the squad have gone to see an England fan who is terminally ill and can’t come and watch the Test match. That sort of thing is not reported, which is fine, but is a fairer representation of this group of players rather than a couple of minor incidents in bars that have been blown out of all proportion.
“I know Australia will use the Duckett incident as a way of goading us, or taking the mickey. Fine. It will probably be funnier than what they have spouted at me so far in this series.”
Meanwhile, Danny Lamb and Toby Lester have both signed extended contracts with Lancashire that will see the duo playing at Emirates Old Trafford until at least the end of next season.
Lamb, who has been at the club since the age of 13 and who plays for Bramhall CC, made his List A debut at Trent Bridge in this year’s Royal London One-Day Cup where he took two wickets. He then made his T20 Blast debut against Leicestershire Foxes at Liverpool where he took 3-30, whilst also hitting 22 runs. Lester, born in Blackpool and a Lancashire Academy and Scholarship graduate, signed his maiden professional contract with the Red Rose ahead of the 2016 summer during which he played in two County Championship matches, having made his debut in 2015 against Essex. The left-arm bowler played a significant part in Lancashire Second XI’s Championship title success with 22 wickets from nine appearances. Lancashire head coach Glen Chapple said: “It’s great news that Danny and Toby have extended their contracts with the club. “They are both young and exciting prospects and we’re looking forward to seeing their development continue over the winter by playing grade cricket in Australia. We hope they’ll both hit the ground running come the start of the 2018 season.” Wicketkeeper Brooke Guest has also signed a summer contract with Lancashire for the 2018 season.
The incident with Ben Duckett was not malicious and was a bit of a non-event James Anderson