Getting out for a duck is tough, especially at home. Recently, Babar Azam, a top Pakistani batsman, was dismissed for a duck in Rawalpindi, his first on home soil. Overall, he’s been out for a duck eight times in 95 Test innings.
Here are the top-order batters with the most ducks at home in Tests.
5. Mark Ramprakash – 10 Ducks
English batter Mark Ramprakash
Mark Ramprakash, a highly skilled English batsman known for his talent, found it difficult to replicate his domestic success on the international stage. He was out for a duck ten times in home Test matches. Even though he had strong technical skills, Ramprakash’s career was plagued by inconsistency, and his repeated ducks at home only added to his challenges.
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4. Mohammad Ashraful – 10 Ducks
Bangladesh lost talent Mohammad Ashraful
Mohammad Ashraful, once hailed as Bangladesh’s future star, faced a troubled career due to inconsistency. After making a memorable debut with a century at just 17, Ashraful often struggled and was out for a duck repeatedly. He was dismissed for a duck 10 times in Test matches at home, highlighting his issues with form and the weight of expectations. Despite his undeniable talent, Ashraful’s career fell short of expectations, with his frequent ducks illustrating the difficulties he encountered.
3. David Boon – 10 Ducks
Australian veteran David Boon
David Boon was a cornerstone of Australia’s batting lineup in the 1980s. Despite his consistent performance, he was out for a duck 10 times in Test matches played at home. This is notable because Boon was frequently the player Australia depended on to stabilize their innings, making his frequent ducks in home games quite surprising.
2. Graham Gooch – 11 Ducks
England top order batter Graham Gooch
Graham Gooch stands out as one of England’s top Test batsmen, amassing over 5,000 runs throughout his career. Yet, cricket can be quite unpredictable, and even someone of Gooch’s skill wasn’t always safe from early exits. Remarkably, he was out for a duck 11 times in Test matches played at home. Despite his impressive overall record, his frequent early dismissals in familiar conditions add an unexpected twist to his otherwise brilliant career.
1. Marvan Atapattu – 11 Ducks
Sri Lanka great batter Marvan Atapattu
Marvan Atapattu, a highly regarded top-order batsman from Sri Lanka, was out for a duck 11 times in home Test matches. His initial career was marked by these ducks, and although he eventually became a crucial player, he still faced numerous dismissals without scoring. Nonetheless, Atapattu amassed over 2669 Test runs in 47 matches, including 8 centuries.
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