Australian batsman Travis Head has disclosed he privately contacted England's Ben Duckett to offer his support, after the English opener faced a fierce social media backlash during the Ashes series.
Unverified Footage Sparks Controversy
The incident stemmed from unverified footage that appeared online, seemingly showing an intoxicated Ben Duckett in a late-night exchange with a fan. This occurred during the England team's mid-series break in Noosa, placing the batter under an intense and unwanted spotlight.
Compounding the situation, England's managing director, Rob Key, had earlier that day labelled excessive drinking as "completely unacceptable" and pledged to investigate reports from the trip. England captain Ben Stokes subsequently rallied behind his teammate, calling for public "empathy" in a heartfelt press conference before the fourth Test in Melbourne.
"Everyone is Still Human": Head's Message of Camaraderie
Speaking to reporters at the MCG after England's two-day victory in the fourth Test, Head revealed his decision to check on his rival. The pair have shared a friendly rapport since their days competing at Under-19 level.
"I get along with Ducky well, I reached out to him to see if he was going alright," Head stated. He emphasised the human element behind the headlines, saying, "Everyone is still human. What you do in personal time is up to you."
Head suggested the reaction was disproportionate, noting, "At the end of the day it was a bit stiff [unfair]. Everyone made a lot more out of it than there should have been." He also speculated the video source was likely "an England fan."
Moving On From the Furore
The Australian batter attributed part of the fuss to the long gaps between Tests, where "people have got to find something to talk about." He expressed a hope that longer play in the next match would shift the focus back to cricket.
Duckett, who scored a crucial 34 runs in England's successful chase of 175 at the MCG after a first-innings duck, appeared to put the episode behind him. He posted a picture online applauding travelling England fans, captioning it: "Amazing end to a pretty tough week."
The episode highlights the intense scrutiny modern athletes face, even during personal downtime, and showcases a moment of cross-team sportsmanship amidst the fierce competition of an Ashes series.
