JAMES DUCKETT was named Jersey Men’s Cricketer of the Year for the second time on Friday evening at the annual Jersey Cricket Awards.
Duckett, who captained the Rathbones Old Victorians 1st XI through an unbeaten CI League campaign, admitted the individual recognition was special, but stressed that the team’s success remained his proudest moment of the year.
“It was an amazing experience to win the award and I’m incredibly proud of the recognition for all the hard work over the course of the season,” he said.
“Personally, I had a pretty good year, but winning the CI League and captaining the side to an undefeated title is definitely the biggest achievement for me.
The league triumph was built on depth, balance, and collective effort, something Duckett was keen to highlight when reflecting on the season. He praised not only the regular first-team players, but also those who stepped up from the Second XI when required.
“We’ve got an incredibly talented group of guys, including players who come in and out of the side from the twos,” he said. “They make my job easier both as captain and as a batter and bowler.”
Duckett emphasised the importance of partnerships and teamwork, pointing out that individual performances in cricket are rarely achieved in isolation.
“You need a partner at the other end to score runs, you bowl in pairs, and you rely on your teammates to hold catches,” he added. “I might have had a good year, but without their support and talent it becomes a lot harder.”
The award marks Duckett’s second Men’s Cricketer of the Year honour, underlining his consistency and influence across another successful campaign. Despite the accolades, his focus is already firmly on what comes next.
“I’m very happy overall,” he said, “and I’m really looking forward to getting my teeth into next season and having another crack at defending our titles.”