England opener Ben Duckett has not been without controversies of late. After apologising for a drunk escapade in Noosa during Ashes 2025-26, apologising to Delhi Capitals (DC) for pulling out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 contract, Duckett has faced a £700 (Rs 87,000 approximately) fine for driving over speed limit hours before a match.
Duckett’s conviction comes months after he committed the offence. On August 24, ahead of his The Hundred clash for Birmingham Phoenix against Manchester Originals, the southpaw as driving 93 mph England opener Ben Duckett in a 70 mph zone. The speed was confirmed by Stoke police speed gun.
ALSO READ: Injured Shreyas Iyer fined Rs 12 lakh by BCCI for nearly 2-hour innings
The opener appeared before Cannock Magistrates' Court and pleaded guilty and received four penalty points on his driving license. In addition to the £700 fine, Duckett was ordered to pay £120 and £280 in court costs and victim surcharge. In total, the 31-year-old faced a £1,100 fine (Rs 1.36 lakh approximately).
Duckett had admitted to the offence in September after Staffordshire Police contacted him. However, a criminal prosecution route was taken by the authorities given the speed at which he was driving. The southpaw submitted his guilty plea online and there was no need for a full public hearing.
Duckett back in action
The 31-year-old will be seen in action in Nottinghamshire’s County Championship Division One 2025 clash against Somerset, starting on April 3 at The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.
Duckett faces 2-year IPL ban
Duckett took a U-turn on Rs 2 crore contract with DC as he intends to commit fully to red-ball cricket ahead of England’s Test summer, especially after a lacklustre run in the Ashes 2025-26 where he failed to score a single half-century.
The left-handed batter has faced a two-year ban from the IPL. He understands that it could mean an end to his IPL career. Had he not pulled out, the opener could’ve had a chance to make his IPL debut for Axar Patel-led DC against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 1.