London, April 1 (NationPress) Ben Duckett, England's left-handed opener, expressed that there are no justifications for his behavior off the field during the Ashes series, pledging to enhance his professionalism to extend his international cricket career.

A video surfaced showing Duckett seemingly intoxicated during a mid-series break in Noosa, which was among several drinking-related incidents that overshadowed the team's tour in Australia.

It was a disappointing series for Duckett, who recorded an average of 20.20 with a highest score of 42 as England suffered a 4-1 defeat in the Ashes, remaining unused during the team’s advance to the Men’s T20 World Cup semi-finals.

"I must improve my ability to handle public scrutiny. Since October, I’ve probably spent just a week at home, which can be challenging, but that’s no excuse for my behavior. Reflecting on the World Cup and my winter, I realize I'm not getting any younger, and I want to avoid injuries," Duckett stated, as reported by Sky Sports.

In efforts to secure his Test place, Duckett opted out of his IPL contract with the Delhi Capitals, choosing instead to focus on county cricket with Nottinghamshire. "The IPL is undoubtedly the premier franchise tournament globally, and competing against top players would have been beneficial for my development," he acknowledged.

"However, I need to prioritize my commitments, with playing for England at the forefront of my mind. By aiming to accumulate runs in red-ball cricket, I hope to enhance my prospects later this summer," he added.

Duckett expressed his disappointment regarding his batting performance during the Ashes but emphasized the importance of moving forward. "I’m quite disheartened with my performance. It wasn’t the series I anticipated, but it’s crucial not to dwell on it too much," he remarked.

"There are various factors to consider, but it’s also about acknowledging the opposition's quality. Australia's bowling attack was exceptionally formidable throughout the series. I felt in good form, yet I failed to convert that into substantial scores," he noted.

Looking ahead to the upcoming Tests against New Zealand at home in June, Duckett emphasized the need for England to tighten up while retaining their aggressive approach. "We’ve discussed the objective of revitalizing Test cricket to attract younger viewers again. We’ve achieved that; now we need to focus on securing results, winning consistently, and establishing ourselves among the elite teams worldwide," he stated.

"We must stick to our successful strategies while tightening our performance in critical areas, like closing out matches. Our player selection aligns with our style of play. Personally, I perform best when I maintain a positive mindset and put pressure on myself. I understand that there will be times when this approach may not yield results, but trying to change my game at this stage in my career isn’t a pathway to success; it would likely lead to decline," he concluded.