Travis Head Supports Ben Duckett After Viral Noosa Video

New Delhi, December 29, 2025: In a display of sporting spirit that transcends the intense rivalry of the Ashes, Australian opener Travis Head has stepped forward to support his English counterpart, Ben Duckett. Following England’s victory in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, it was revealed by Head that he had personally reached out to Duckett. This gesture came after a viral video emerged showing the England opener in a reportedly inebriated state during a team break in Noosa, a coastal town where the squad had traveled to regroup after early series defeats.

The Controversial Footage from Noosa

The controversy was ignited when unverified footage surfaced on social media, appearing to depict Duckett struggling to find his way back to the team hotel during the mid-series hiatus. The clip, which prompted an investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), drew sharp criticism from fans and former players alike. With England trailing in the series at the time, the “party-like” atmosphere of the Noosa trip was labeled as inappropriate by some, leading to intense media pressure on the 31-year-old opener.

Also Read: BTS Coming to India in 2026? V’s ‘Namaste’ Sparks Global Tour Buzz

“Everyone is Still Human”: Head’s Defense

While addressing reporters in Melbourne, Travis Head was heard downplaying the severity of the incident. He argued that the scrutiny faced by Duckett was “a bit stiff” and suggested that the situation had been blown out of proportion by the media. “I get on with Ducky well and reached out to him to see if he was going alright,” Head stated, emphasizing that what players do in their personal time should remain private. He further remarked that “everyone is still human” and noted that Australian players have found themselves in similar situations on past tours.

England Management Stands by Their Opener

The sentiment of empathy was echoed by England captain Ben Stokes, who publicly backed Duckett before the Melbourne Test began. Stokes highlighted the mental toll that social media “piling on” can have on individuals, particularly during a high-stakes tour like the Ashes. Despite the off-field noise and a lean run of form where he had failed to breach the 30-run mark in previous innings, Duckett was retained in the XI. He repaid this faith by scoring a vital 34 runs in the fourth Test, helping England secure a four-wicket win to keep their pride intact.

A Rivalry Tempered by Respect

As the teams prepare for the final Test in Sydney, the interaction between Head and Duckett has been viewed as a refreshing reminder of the mutual respect between modern cricketers. Head, who has enjoyed a stellar series himself with two centuries, noted that the long gaps between Test matches often lead people to find “something to talk about” in the absence of on-field action. With the 2025-26 Ashes series now at 3-1, the focus has shifted back to the cricket, though the Noosa incident remains a footnote in a tour defined by both high drama and human vulnerability.