Ben Duckett will walk out at the MCG on Boxing Day, six failures and one unwanted social-media clip later, after England confirmed an XI that shows faith in the left-hander despite an ongoing ECB investigation.
The basics first. England, 3-0 down in the Ashes, have recalled Jacob Bethell for a debut and drafted quick Gus Atkinson for the injured Jofra Archer. Ollie Pope is omitted. Duckett stays, largely because there is no spare opener in the touring party, but also because captain Ben Stokes is adamant the 29-year-old still matters.
“It’s all pretty fresh and pretty new,” Stokes said. “I’ve obviously reached out and spoken to him and offered my complete support with him throughout this. 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.”
The investigation centres on a short video taken after England’s Noosa break. In it, Duckett appears worse for wear, struggles to find his hotel and calls a supporter a “p*k”. The clip surfaced only hours after managing director Rob Key had branded heavy drinking on tour “completely unacceptable”. The ECB has confirmed it is “aware” of the footage and will “establish the facts”.
Duckett’s form is an issue in its own right: 97 runs at 16.16 this series, no half-century in any format for England since July. Yet Stokes has opted for the arm-round-the-shoulder approach, something he knows a bit about.
“I have first-hand experience of how this can affect people,” he said, referencing the fallout from his 2017 Bristol incident. “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 as well. My job as England captain is obviously to be out there and get results for the team, but also to try to give people the best chance of being in a mental space where they can go out there and perform.
“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… I know what it’s like. It’s not a nice place to be in, but he knows that he’s got the support of myself and the other guys around him as well.”
Pressed on whether Duckett had actually breached any rules, Stokes batted it away. “I’m here to support him. I’ll always support my players and I made that pretty clear.”
Selection analyst’s note: Bethell offers a left-arm spin option and middle-order punch, while Atkinson’s extra pace may help on a pitch that can flatten as the match wears on. Pope’s dip in returns and Archer’s elbow flare-up forced the changes. England still lack a reserve opener, an oversight highlighted by Duckett’s slide in form.
Stokes called the past fortnight “the toughest period” of his leadership. A win in Melbourne would not reclaim the urn, but it might quieten the noise and give Duckett – and the team – something solid to cling to.
