England cricket supporters have mounted a staunch defence of batsman Ben Duckett after a video clip, showing the opener appearing to be intoxicated on a night out in Queensland, spread rapidly across social media. The footage has ignited a debate about player privacy and conduct during the high-profile Ashes series in Australia.
Viral video details and fan reaction
In the now-viral video, Ben Duckett is seen alone and is approached by passersby who ask if he requires help getting back to the team hotel safely. The 31-year-old, slurring his words, admits he does not know where he is staying. The clip is believed to have been recorded during the 10-day break between the second and third Ashes Tests, a period when the England squad was on a break in Noosa. Australia had secured an eight-wicket victory in the second Test at Brisbane's Gabba on December 7, with the third Test in Adelaide not beginning until December 17.
During the exchange, one England fan is heard teasing Duckett, suggesting he get an Uber "to the nets" in a jibe at the team's poor batting performances. Duckett's retort is to call the individual a "p***k" and state "no one knows who you are." Despite the team's struggles in the series, the backlash from fans has been directed not at the player, but at those who filmed and shared the private moment.
ECB investigation and wider scrutiny
The incident occurs against a backdrop of increased scrutiny on the England team's activities during their break. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed it is investigating claims that some team members engaged in excessive drinking, allegedly turning the squad's respite into a "beer-drinking stag-do." This probe also follows the circulation of separate, innocent footage showing teammate Jacob Bethell vaping while out socially.
In a statement provided to Daily Mail Sport regarding the Duckett video, an ECB spokesperson said: "We are aware of content circulating on social media. We have high expectations for behaviour, accepting that players are often under intense levels of scrutiny, with established processes that we follow when conduct falls below expectations. We also support players that need assistance. We will not comment further at this stage while we establish the facts."
Support from the stands
Instead of criticising Duckett, many England fans have used social media to condemn the act of filming him. One supporter wrote, "Whoever filmed the Ben Duckett video should be ashamed of themselves," questioning whether people had forgotten the "tragic consequences" such actions can have on players. Another comment argued, "I don't even think he's done that much wrong. Who hasn't had a few drinks too many in our lives." A further perspective suggested that such incidents risk alienating players from their supporters, forcing future interactions "behind closed doors." This wave of support highlights the complex relationship between modern sports stars, their public image, and the expectations placed upon them during demanding overseas tours.
