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England captain ben stokes Giving its full support to Under-Fire ben duckettThe opener has come into limelight after a viral video on social media.
Controversy has arisen over the drinking of alcohol by tourists in Noosa between the second and third Ashes Test matches.
Managing Director rob key It was confirmed that the squad’s alcohol consumption throughout the series was under investigation, underlining how “unacceptable” it would be if the behavior resembled a “stag-doo”.
And after unverified footage emerged showing a drunk Duckett having a tense conversation with the public, Stokes has insisted on his role in keeping a protective arm around his embattled side despite reiterating the England and Wales Cricket Board’s “high expectations of behaviour”.
There will be nowhere to hide at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where a festive crowd of around 90,000 is expected to offer plenty of partisan barracks, Duckett’s precarious position hardly helped by a series batting average of only 16.
Stokes has faced difficult moments in his career – including being left off the England Lions tour in 2013 for breaking team rules and being found not guilty of affray charges following a 2017 incident outside a Bristol nightclub. He took a mental health break from the sport in 2021 and later released a documentary detailing his personal struggles.
He said, “I am obviously aware of the reports and everything going on around. My main concern at the moment is my players and how I handle this moment is the most important thing for me.”
“I have first-hand experience of how this can affect people and my role as England captain is to protect my players as much as possible. Supporting them and letting them know I will be there for them through thick and thin is very important, and Ben Duckett knows this.
“I’ve obviously contacted them, spoken to them and given my full support during this time. Especially in a moment where it feels like it’s all on you. My job as England captain is obviously to be there and get results for the team, but also to try to give guys the best chance to be in a mental place where they can go out there and perform.”
Describing his conversation with Duckett, he said: “You know when you go up to somebody and say, ‘I’m always here for you if you need five minutes.’
With no reserve opening batsman on the tour, Duckett was never likely to stand out in Melbourne, but as expected Ollie Pope Ultimately the third one is off the road. Jacob Bethel gets the nod for the biggest game of his career.
Pope has been under pressure for a year, averaging 17 in 16 Ashes innings and losing the vice-captaincy just before the tour of Australia. Now he faces a long journey and a return to county cricket after 64 Test matches.
Gus Atkinson also returns to the England XI in place of Jofra Archer, England’s most dangerous fast bowler having been ruled out of the remainder of the tour with a worrying left side injury.
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