Travis Head has revealed he contacted Ben Duckett after a viral video sparked a social media backlash against the England opener. The footage, which appeared to show an intoxicated Duckett in a tetchy late-night conversation with a fan, was filmed during the team's mid-series break in Noosa.
The incident prompted England managing director Rob Key to call excessive drinking “completely unacceptable” and announce an investigation. Captain Ben Stokes publicly backed Duckett, urging “empathy” in an emotive press conference before the fourth Ashes Test.
Head said he felt compelled to check on his rival, with whom he has shared a good relationship since their Under-19 days. “I get along with Ducky well, I reached out to him to see if he was going alright,” the Australian batter told reporters in Melbourne.
“Everyone is still human. What you do in personal time is up to you. I know we live a high-profile life... but at the end of the day it was a bit stiff. Everyone made a lot more out of it that there should have been. It was from one of his own as well, I reckon it was an England fan.”
Head dismissed the controversy as a non-issue, suggesting the media needed something to talk about during the long gaps between Tests. Duckett, who scored 34 in England's successful run chase, posted a picture of himself clapping the travelling fans online, writing: “Amazing end to a pretty tough week.”
