Australia opener Travis Head has revealed that he reached out to England counterpart Ben Duckett following the emergence of a social media video ahead of the Melbourne Test, which appeared to show the England batter intoxicated.

The incident came amid heightened scrutiny of England’s off-field behaviour during the Ashes series, with reports of players drinking heavily during a break in Noosa, Queensland, between the second and third Tests.

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Video Sparks Controversy

One video, which has not been independently verified by the BBC, seemingly showed Duckett drinking excessively, prompting an internal investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The footage intensified media attention on Duckett and the England team, already under pressure after falling 2-0 behind in the series following defeats in Perth and Brisbane.

Despite the media storm, Head emphasized that his concern was personal rather than professional:

“I get on with Ducky well and reached out to him to see if he was going alright. Everyone is still human. What you do in your personal time is up to you. I know we live a high-profile life, and some people are more high-profile than others. At the end of the day, it is a bit stiff but I don’t think there is any real issue.”

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England’s Off-Field Behaviour Under Scrutiny

England’s four-night stay in Noosa followed two defeats that put them on the back foot in the Ashes. Media outlets, including the BBC, reported that some players spent a significant portion of their time on the Queensland coast drinking, as well as on two previous days in Brisbane, the site of the second Test.

Although the England side delivered an improved performance in subsequent matches, they were ultimately unable to stop Australia from securing the series, losing in Adelaide before bouncing back to win the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

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Head Comments on Media Reaction

Speaking after England’s fourth Test defeat, Head suggested the media coverage had been blown out of proportion:

“I was jealous. Everyone has made a lot more out of it than what it should have been. We have done the same thing on past tours. I don’t have an issue with it.”

Head’s comments underline the perspective that international cricketers, despite living in the public eye, are entitled to private downtime, and that isolated incidents should not overshadow on-field performances.

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Key Takeaways

• Travis Head reached out to Ben Duckett after a controversial social media video emerged.
• England conducted an internal review after reports of excessive drinking during the Ashes tour.
• Head emphasized that personal time is private and suggested the media reaction was overblown.
• The events occurred during England’s mid-series stay in Noosa, Queensland, after defeats in Perth and Brisbane.
• Despite off-field controversies, Head praised Duckett personally and stressed there was no lingering issue.