Australian batsman Travis Head has publicly thrown his support behind England opener Ben Duckett, urging for perspective after videos of the English player in an inebriated state during a team trip to Noosa sparked a media storm. The incident occurred ahead of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide.
Head Calls for Calm, Cites Past Player Incidents
The left-handed Australian batter stated that the reaction to Duckett's video has been excessive. Head revealed that several Australian players have found themselves in similar situations on past tours, suggesting the current scrutiny is disproportionate. "I was jealous. Everyone else has made a lot more out of it than what it should have been," Head told reporters on Sunday, December 28. "We've done the same thing on past tours, so I didn't have an issue with it."
Emphasising the human side of professional athletes, Head added, "Everyone's still human. What you do in your personal time is up to you." He acknowledged the high-profile nature of their lives but concluded, "at the end of the day, it's a bit stiff."
Personal Outreach and Captain's Support
Head, 31, disclosed that he had personally reached out to Duckett via text before the Melbourne Test to check on his wellbeing. He linked the heightened attention to the long gaps in the Test schedule. "When there are big gaps between Tests, people have to find something to talk about," Head remarked. He humorously added, "Hopefully, we can play a bit longer next week and give them less to talk about."
This defence follows earlier support from England captain Ben Stokes ahead of the Boxing Day Test. Stokes described Duckett as an "incredibly influential person within this group" and assured him of the team's full backing. Stokes, speaking from personal experience with media pressure, highlighted the difficulty of facing criticism, especially after losing three games in a major series like the Ashes.
Context and What's Next
The video controversy emerged during England's visit to Noosa, a coastal resort town, as they prepared for the Adelaide Test. The team has been under significant pressure, trailing in the high-stakes Ashes series.
The fifth and final Test of the series is scheduled to begin in Sydney on January 4. The focus for both teams will now shift back to the cricket, with England looking to salvage pride and Australia aiming to secure the series win on home soil.
