England batsman Ben Duckett delivered a light-hearted riposte to jeering fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the Boxing Day Test, capping a turbulent week for the player following a controversial social media video.
A Week of Scrutiny and a Cheeky Response
The 31-year-old cricketer faced significant backlash after a clip, published last week, appeared to show him intoxicated during England's team trip to Noosa on the Sunshine Coast. The four-day getaway, which reportedly descended into a beer-heavy 'stag do' atmosphere, prompted an investigation by ECB managing director Rob Key.
Despite the off-field controversy and a modest series average of 16.6 runs, Duckett retained his place for the pivotal Melbourne Test. His contribution of 34 runs in England's second innings proved valuable in securing the team's first Test win in Australia for 15 years.
While fielding on the boundary, Duckett was targeted by sections of the partisan MCG crowd. In a video shared by Draught Sports on Instagram, a spectator was heard shouting, 'Duckett, you want a beer mate? How was Noosa?'
The England star's reaction was swift and good-natured. After the ball went dead, he turned to the fans, gave a thumbs-up, and then mimed drinking from an imaginary pint glass, beckoning for the beverage to be brought to him.
Captain's Support and a United Front
England captain Ben Stokes had already publicly thrown his support behind Duckett before the match, calling for 'empathy' for the opener after the video went viral. 'I know how it can affect people,' Stokes stated on Christmas Eve. 'It's a very tough place to be in as an individual. But I will always try my best to look after every single person in this group.'
Following the morale-boosting victory, Stokes praised his team's resilience in the face of intense criticism. 'The way in which we were able to keep the focus on the most important thing, which was the cricket out there, was pretty exceptional, I think,' the skipper reflected.
Solidarity from an Unlikely Source
Support for Duckett also came from an opposing player, Australian batter Travis Head, who is a close friend. Head revealed he had reached out to check on the England star's wellbeing after seeing the viral clip.
'I get along with Duckey well. Reached out to him to see if he was going alright,' Head said. 'Everyone's still human... what you do in your personal time is up to you. I know we live a high-profile life... but at the end of the day, it's a bit stiff.'
Duckett has not yet made a public statement regarding the Noosa incident. However, his on-field gesture at the MCG and his contribution to a historic win suggest a player determined to let his cricket do the talking amidst the off-field noise.
