New Delhi [India], March 24 (ANI): All-rounder Ben Duckett affirmed that England remains committed to securing victories and feels “upset” following the disappointing conclusion of their Champions Trophy campaign.

England was eliminated from the Champions Trophy during the group stage following losses to Australia, Afghanistan, and South Africa.

As part of their preparation for the major tournament, England visited India for a one-day series marked by losses. During this tour, Duckett’s remarks attracted significant backlash.

He boldly declared that he didn’t mind if England lost 3-0 in the ODI series against India, so long as they emerged victorious when it mattered most at the Champions Trophy a few weeks thereafter.

Ducket dismissed the idea and stated, according to Sky Sports, “Winning matches is definitely something we’re after. Following each game at the Champions Trophy, had there been cameras around, one would have seen a bunch of guys feeling upset, desperate to secure victory, and convinced they could triumph in every match.”

“When I wear an England jersey, regardless of the format, my sole focus is to step onto the field and secure victory for the nation. The Champions Trophy was a letdown, and it left us all feeling deeply hurt. There were instances where our performance was strong, and we had opportunities to triumph in the initial two matches; however, things quickly took a turn for the worse. Following a challenging series in India, I believe that not being accustomed to clinching close contests can impact your mindset,” he explained.

England is currently experiencing a transitional period in their approach to one-day cricket. Following Brendon McCullum’s appointment as the white-ball head coach, Jos Buttler resigned from his role as captain after England finished their campaign in the Champions Trophy.

Harry Brook and Test skipper Ben Stokes are being considered as possible contenders for the position. Nonetheless, Duckett has expressed his interest in assuming the role should the management approach him about it.

“Leading England would undoubtedly be an incredible dream. While I believe it’s not currently part of the plan, I remain uncertain as I can’t predict future developments. So, my response reflects this ambiguity. Moving ahead, we’ll have to wait and see how things unfold and what choices are ultimately made. For now, though, I’m simply enjoying representing England,” he stated.

“A few years back, I never imagined I would end up doing this, so it’s truly fulfilling to live out my childhood dreams and represent my nation across all three formats. It makes me incredibly joyful,” he stated additionally. (ANI)