Top 10 Most Ducks In Ashes History

The Ashes is coming. There will soon be no avoiding it, with England and Australia preparing to rekindle old rivalries Down Under. Who will claim the urn? Which players will amaze and inspire? Will some fluff their lines? These are all questions that will be answered before January 18, 2022. There will be plenty of star turns on show in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth, with runs and wickets aplenty to be found in the respective squads preparing to be sent into battle by Justin Langer and Chris Silverwood.

This, of course, comes in tandem with many fans looking to bet on cricket, and it’s currently pretty obvious who the favourites are. The hosts have earned favour as 1/ 4 shots, while the tourists sit at 4/1 and a drawn series is 15/2. However, that picture could shift dramatically, with heroes and villains set to be made in the heat of an Australian summer. Some will prosper, with five-forks and big centuries there for the taking, but others will find the going a little tougher – with reputations counting for little when two arch-enemies get down to business.

Who has the most ducks in Ashes history?

The one thing that anybody picking up a bat during the 2021-22 Ashes will want to avoid – the ignominy of posting a duck (particularly a golden one). Many have, however, trodden that path before, with some stellar names within a notable top 10.

1. Syd Gregory (11)

The Australian has four Ashes centuries to his name and eight 50s, but was also partial to getting out without troubling the scorers. He did take part in 92 Ashes innings, though, so should not be too disappointed by a duck haul of 11.

2. Glenn McGrath (10)

Better to be great at one thing rather than average at everything. McGrath was definitely that, as one of the greatest bowlers of all time. He was less assured with the bat, but those failings can be forgiven.

3. Shane Warne (10)

Another legendary bowler, with over 700 wickets to his name, but a man who was often as bamboozled by opposing deliveries as those he sent down himself. Did reach the 90s once in an Ashes test, but that was the exception to the norm.

It’s 25 years today since THAT ball!

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4. Darren Gough (9)

Gough only took to the crease 29 times in the Ashes, and failed to get off the mark in nine of those innings. He was in the England side to take wickets, not put up runs, but will feel as though he could, and should, have offered more.

5. Dick Lilley (9)

In the Australian side at the turn of the 20th century, Lilley posted four Ashes half-centuries and scored over 800 runs, but he could be hit and miss at times.

6. Johnny Briggs (9)

A 19th-century star for England that also forms part of the Ashes centurion club. Briggs was capable with the bat, but could also blow hot and cold.

7. Phil Tufnell (8)

An archetypal No.11 from a bygone era, Tufnell was affectionately known as ‘The Cat’ and often looked like one on a hot tin roof when asked to wield a bat, rather than spin the ball out of his left hand.

8. James Anderson (8)

England’s last man in for well over a decade now, but his numbers with the bat have barely improved. He can counter those struggles with a record-setting haul of wickets and has also been left not out (20) more times than anyone else on this list.

9. Ian Botham (8)

Sir Beefy was a thorn in the Australian’s side on a regular basis throughout the late 1970s and 80s, with three memorable hundreds to his name. A power hitter, he was always going to miss the odd one and find himself left stranded.

Ian Botham’s career saving cricket match…..

1981 Ashes. 3rd test, Leeds.

Ended gloriously, started horrendously.

On this day, July 16, 1981.

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10. Clem Hill (8)

The finest batsman on this chart, with four Hundreds and 16 half-centuries, he plundered 2,660 Ashes runs. Jack Saunders of Australia and Bobby Peel of England also managed eight ducks apiece and cannot escape without mention.