Duckett credits fitness work for return to form with Test century
6 reported
Ben Duckett scored a century for England in the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, his first Test hundred in over 12 months. The 31-year-old opener had struggled for runs since leading England to victory against India last year, including an Ashes average of 20 and a run of 14 Test innings without a half-century. Duckett pulled out of a stint with Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League to focus on professionalism with Nottinghamshire. He credited a fitness regimen that included running and weight loss of "five or six" kilograms, working with England fitness coach Pete Sim and Nottinghamshire counterpart Zak Bess. Duckett was dropped on 0 by Henry Nicholls at third slip before reaching his century, which he described as emotional and meaningful on his home ground. He was eventually dismissed for 113, leaving England at 223-2, 215 runs behind New Zealand's first-innings total of 438.
What’s reported
Duckett scored his first Test century in over 12 months, making 113 against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
He had an Ashes average of 20 and a run of 14 Test innings without a half-century.
Duckett pulled out of a Delhi Capitals IPL stint to prioritize professionalism with Nottinghamshire.
He lost "five or six" kilograms through fitness work with England coach Pete Sim and Nottinghamshire coach Zak Bess.
Duckett was dropped on 0 by Henry Nicholls at third slip before reaching his century.
England ended the day on 223-2, trailing New Zealand's 438 by 215 runs.
Key figures
Ben Duckett, England opener
Pete Sim, England fitness coach
Zak Bess, Nottinghamshire fitness coach
Henry Nicholls, New Zealand fielder
Nathan Smith, New Zealand bowler
Jacob Bethell, England batsman
Sarah Taylor, England fielding coach
Emilio Gay, England opening partner
Kyle Jamieson, New Zealand bowler
Mitchell Santner, New Zealand bowler
Sources: BBC News
