[2] His father ran the cricket ball manufacturing business and had played five first-class matches for Kent sides during the 1820s, before the formation the first county club.
[3] A fast bowler like his father,[3] Duke had "a considerable reputation" as a club cricketer,[2] playing for Penshurst and Sevenoaks Vine.
He had dislocated his knee whilst fielding in 1854 and the injury brought his career to an end soon afterwards.
As a batsman, Duke had little skill and he bagged a pair in his only first-class match, as Kent lost by two runs.
His father had developed the company and by this time it produced a range of cricket equipment as well as making balls.