Travis Head defends Ben Duckett after intoxication video goes viral

Australia opener Travis Head said he reached out to England’s Ben Duckett after a social media video emerged ahead of the Melbourne Test that appeared to show the England batter intoxicated.



England managing director Rob Key had earlier revealed that the board launched an investigation following reports of players drinking heavily during a break in Noosa, a coastal town, between the second and third Ashes Tests.




A video that went viral on social media seemed to show Duckett intoxicated, increasing scrutiny on the England camp and the opener in particular.


“I get on with Ducky well and reached out to him to see if he was going alright. Everyone is still human. What you do in your personal time is up to you. I know we live a high profile life and some people are more high profile than others. At the end of the day, it is a bit stiff but I don't think there is any real issue.”


England’s four-night stay in Noosa came after they fell 2-0 behind in the Ashes following defeats in Perth and Brisbane.


Reports suggested that several players spent a significant amount of time drinking on the Queensland coast, as well as during the two days prior in Brisbane, where the second Test was held.


While England showed improvement in the second Test compared to the series opener, they went on to lose the third Test in Adelaide, handing Australia the Ashes series.


England, however, bounced back in dramatic fashion in Melbourne, ending an 18-match winless streak in Australia and avoiding a clean sweep. In one of the most bizarre Tests in cricket history, England chased down 175 runs on the second evening of the fourth Test to seal a four-wicket win, reducing the series deficit to 3-1 ahead of the final match in Sydney.


On a surface offering difficult batting conditions, England’s Bazball approach thrived amid the chaos. The visitors completed the chase in just 33 overs, delighting thousands of travelling fans who finally had something to celebrate after a largely disappointing tour.