Most ducks in County Championship, division one, history – Tim Ambrose leads this unwanted record

Archie Starkey 25 Feb 2025

Tim Ambrose has collected the most ducks in the history of the County Championship.

While some players shone with the bat, others found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreboard far too often.

Ducks are part of the game, but for some, they become a recurring frustration.

Read on as we reveal the Division One players who recorded the most ducks in the history of the competition.

=7. Marcus Trescothick – 23 County Championship ducks

Despite being one of the most prolific batters for Somerset and the higher Division One run scorer, with over 12,000 career runs, Trescothick also had his share of struggles at the crease.

His 23 ducks stand in stark contrast to his impressive 37 centuries, making him a perfect example of the highs and lows that come with red-ball cricket.

Trescothick once scored 50 runs off just 26 balls in a County Championship match, showing his ability to be explosive with bat in hand.

=7. Steven Mullaney – 23 County Championship ducks

Nottinghamshire’s Mullaney found himself out without scoring on 23 separate occasions, but his versatility with both bat and ball kept him an essential player at Trent Bridge.

With a career-high score of 179 and 857 boundaries in his career, he often made up for those early exits that are just a part of the game.

=7. Ollie Rayner – 23 County Championship ducks

Rayner’s lower-order batting often saw him facing tricky situations, and 23 times, he failed to get off the mark.

Having been born in Germany, Rayner represented the national side and has two first-class centuries to his name; he clearly can handle himself with the bat.

He’s participated in the European Cricket League and represented four counties including loan spells.

=5. Adam Lyth – 26 County Championship ducks

Yorkshire’s opener Lyth amassed nearly 9,400 runs, but his aggressive style sometimes led to early dismissals.

His 26 ducks were the flip side of his 19 centuries and over 1,200 fours, showing his all-or-nothing approach while opening the batting.

Also read: Most wickets in County Championship, division one, 2024

=5. Joe Denly – 26 County Championship ducks

Denly’s career has been filled with moments of brilliance, including 11 centuries and a highest score of 167* as well as a stellar international career for England.

Yet, his 26 ducks reflect his willingness to take risks, a style that has often paid off but sometimes left him walking back early.

Joe’s nephew, Jaydn Denly, now plays with him at Kent – but he has a long way to go to equal his uncle’s unwanted tally.

4. Graham Onions – 27 County Championship ducks

Primarily known for his swing bowling, Graham Onions’ 27 ducks are no surprise.

The former Durham and Lancashire fast bowler did manage a few notable moments with the bat, including a career-best 65 and some crucial late-order partnerships for both club and country.

Onions was once England’s go-to bowler in the Ashes, taking key wickets in an impressive career that was blighted by injuries.

3. Rikki Clarke – 29 County Championship ducks

Clarke’s all-rounder credentials didn’t always translate to consistent batting performances, with 29 innings ending without a run.

However, his 9 centuries and nearly 1,000 boundaries prove his ability to turn games when he got his eye in.

Clarke also holds the rare accolade of taking five wickets and scoring a century in the same match – a feat only a handful of players have achieved in county cricket.

2. Harry Gurney – 33 County Championship ducks

Nottinghamshire’s Gurney was a bowler by name and nature and his batting reflected that.

His 33 ducks in 95 innings underline his vulnerability with the bat, though his effectiveness with the ball more than made up for it.

Off the field, Gurney co-owns a chain of pubs alongside former county teammate Stuart Broad near Trent Bridge – an ideal place to drown their batting sorrows perhaps.

1. Tim Ambrose – 39 County Championship ducks

Topping this unwanted list is Warwickshire’s wicketkeeper-batter Ambrose.

Despite over 7,000 career runs and 12 centuries, his 39 ducks make him Division One’s most frequent victim of early dismissals.

Ambrose also played a key role in England’s 2008 Test series win in New Zealand, showing his ability to kick on when he builds a foundation in an innings.