England practice on Christmas Day as they purpose to keep away from 5-0 Ashes humiliation – after Ben Stokes known as for ’empathy’ for Ben Duckett amid ‘drunk’ social media video backlash
England’s cricket stars appeared to be in good spirits as they were put through their paces on Christmas Day ahead of the Boxing Day Ashes Test.
Ben Stokes‘ side are 3-0 down and have already lost the series after just 11 days of cricket, but there is still plenty to play for heading into the match in Melbourne which begins at 11.30PM tonight (GMT).
The tour seemed to go from bad to worse earlier this week though, when a video emerged of batsman Ben Duckett during England’s four-day trip to Noosa between the second and third Tests.
In the clip, which went viral on social media, Duckett, who was alone, seemed to be lost when asked if he knew where he was staying, and he was slurring his words. It emerged only hours after managing director Rob Key said the ECB were investigating reports that the Noosa trip had resembled a ‘stag-do’, and posed fresh questions about a drinking culture in the England dressing-room.
Despite the controversy, Ben Stokes threw his backing behind England’s opener on Christmas Eve and called for ’empathy’ towards him.
And on Christmas Day, England were hard at work in the Melbourne sunshine as they aim to avoid an embarrassing 5-0 clean-sweep and take some positives from the tour.
England’s cricket stars appeared to be in good spirits as they were put through their paces on Christmas Day ahead of the Boxing Day Ashes Test in Melbourne
Ben Duckett was hard at work after a video emerged of him on social media earlier this week
Several England players, including Joe Root (above), donned Christmas hats for the session
England’s players, including Duckett, went through a net session at the MCG as they finalised their preparations.
Several players tried to get in the festive spirit by training with Christmas hats on, and there were plenty of smiles from the travelling party.
Duckett was seen laughing in conversation with coach Brendon McCullum, while Jofra Archer had a big smile on his face despite facing the blow of being ruled out of the rest of the series with a side strain after being one of England’s shining lights.
Elsewhere, Joe Root donned a festive hat, as did Jacob Bethell, one of two changes for the fourth Test.
Bethell and Gus Atkinson will replace Ollie Pope and Archer respectively in England’s XI.
Pope was also pictured at training, although he cut a glum figure. The Surrey batsman was dropped having scored just 125 runs at an average of 20.83 across the first three Tests.
McCullum was seen deep in conversation with Australia coach Andrew McDonald, with the Aussies similarly working hard in the build-up to the Test.
Scott Boland went through a spell of bowling, while Steve Smith – who is standing in as captain again for the injured Pat Cummins – later inspected the wicket.
Ollie Pope, who has been dropped for the fourth Test, cut a glum figure at training though
Jofra Archer was also keen to get involved despite being ruled out of the series through injury
Jacob Bethell will replace Pope at No 3 in England’s batting line-up for the Test in Melbourne
England coach Brendon McCullum was also seen speaking to Australia’s Andrew McDonald
Meanwhile, speaking on Wednesday when asked about Duckett, Stokes described his opening batsman as ‘such an important player for this team’, and said it was his job as captain to look after the welfare of his players.
He added: ‘In this moment right now, a little bit of empathy from everyone would be not too hard to think about.’
Stokes, who declined to respond directly to questions about the wisdom of the Noosa trip, said he had ‘reached out’ to Duckett after the video went viral, ‘and offered my complete support with him throughout this’.
He added: ‘He’s such an important player for this team, and we’ve still got two games of cricket to play. He’s an incredibly influential person within this group.
‘I will always support my players, particularly in a moment like this where everything feels like it’s on top of you – and for some players more than others.
‘Supporting them and letting them know that I will be there for them through thick and thin is very, very important, and Ben Duckett knows that.
‘You know when you go up to someone and say: “I’m always here for you, if you need five minutes.”
‘I just reassured him that I’m not saying that just for the sake of it: if you do just want to have however long, just please come to me because I know what it’s like.’
