Travis Head Defends Ben Duckett Amid Controversy Following England's Test Loss

In the wake of England's disappointing performance in the Ashes series, Travis Head has publicly defended fellow cricketer Ben Duckett, who is under fire for a video allegedly showing him intoxicated during a team outing. Head emphasizes the importance of personal time and expresses concern over the excessive scrutiny Duckett is facing. Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board is set to investigate the incident, as Duckett's performance has also come under scrutiny. This article delves into the reactions and implications surrounding this controversy.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 28, 2025, 16:26 IST

Support for Ben Duckett from Travis Head

Australian cricketer Travis Head has come to the defense of England's opener Ben Duckett, who is facing criticism after a video surfaced allegedly showing him intoxicated during a team trip to Noosa. Following Australia's defeat in the Boxing Day Test, Head emphasized that everyone has personal lives and should be free to enjoy their time off, as reported by a news outlet.

Criticism Following Noosa Outing

After suffering a significant loss in the pink-ball Test in Brisbane, which left England trailing 2-0 in the series, the team took a break in Noosa before the crucial third Test at Adelaide Oval. Despite Duckett's pivotal 34 runs in a challenging chase of 175 runs in Melbourne, he has faced backlash from fans and scrutiny from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) due to the video showing him appearing inebriated and struggling to navigate back to the hotel.

Travis Head's Perspective

Head, who played alongside Duckett in the U19 World Cup in 2012, expressed his concern for Duckett, stating, "I reached out to him to see if he was doing okay." He remarked that everyone is human and that the scrutiny on Duckett seemed excessive. Head noted, "We have done similar things on past tours, and I don't see a problem with it. When there are long gaps between Tests, people tend to find something to discuss."

Duckett's Performance in the Ashes

In the ongoing Ashes series, Duckett's performance has been disappointing, accumulating only 133 runs over eight innings in four Tests, averaging 16.62, with a top score of 34.

ECB's Investigation into the Incident

Rob Key, managing director of the England men's team, stated that he would investigate the events during the team's break and determine if any action is warranted. He mentioned, "If there are claims of excessive drinking, we will certainly look into it. However, from what I've heard, the players behaved well." Key emphasized that while he has no issue with the team taking a break, any excessive drinking would be unacceptable.