A video has surfaced on social media appearing to show England batsman Ben Duckett in an intoxicated state while on a night out during the ongoing and disastrous Ashes tour of Australia.
Video Details and Tour Context
The clip, circulating on X (formerly Twitter), depicts the 31-year-old opener alone and seemingly disoriented. He is approached by passers-by, believed to be England fans, who ask if he requires assistance to return to his accommodation safely. When questioned if he knows where he is staying, Duckett slurs a reply of 'No'.
One fan is heard teasing the cricketer, suggesting they order him 'an Uber to the nets, bro' – a clear jibe at England's poor batting performances. Duckett retorts by calling the individual a 'p***k' and stating 'no one knows who you are'. He later confirms his identity in the video.
While the exact date is unconfirmed, a reference in the conversation to 'We're losing 2-0' places the incident in the 10-day gap between the second Test, lost in Brisbane on December 7, and the third Test, which began in Adelaide on December 17.
ECB Launches Noosa Trip Probe
The emergence of this video follows swiftly on the heels of an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) investigation into the squad's conduct during a four-day break in the holiday resort of Noosa, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. The trip was intended for relaxation after the Gabba defeat but is now under scrutiny.
Managing director Rob Key addressed the reports, stating that while he had 'no issue' with a trip to unwind, excessive drinking was unacceptable. 'If they're drinking lots and it's a stag-do, all that type of stuff, that's completely unacceptable,' Key said. He added that initial feedback suggested players 'sat down, had lunch, had dinner, didn't go out late, had the odd drink', but vowed to uncover the full truth.
History Repeats for Duckett and England's Uphill Battle
This is not Duckett's first brush with disciplinary issues on an Ashes tour. During the 2017-18 series, he was sent home after pouring a drink over teammate James Anderson, an incident for which he received a fine and a final written warning.
On the field, Duckett's form has mirrored England's struggles. He is averaging a meagre 16.16 runs from six innings this series, with a top score of just 29. The team has already surrendered the Ashes, trailing 3-0 after the Adelaide defeat, with two Tests remaining and facing the prospect of another 5-0 whitewash in Australia.
The ECB declined to comment when contacted about the latest video. With the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne looming, the controversy represents a significant distraction for a squad in desperate need of focus and a turnaround in fortunes.
