AUS vs ENG: Travis Head hopes for post-Ashes drink tradition to return

Travis Head has expressed his wish for players from both sides to come together for a drink following the Ashes finale in Sydney, hoping to bring back a long-standing tradition that was missing after the controversial 2023 series.

After Ashes series, players and staff from both Australia and England have always come together for drinks, but this tradition was broken after the fifth Test at The Oval in 2023. The lengthy farewells for England’s players and support staff kept the two teams apart, despite the expectation that the mood would settle following England’s triumph in the final Test.

In an interview with The Australian, Travis Head expressed excitement about the possibility of both teams meeting at the Sydney Cricket Ground after the series concludes, emphasising that the current contest has been played ‘in the right spirit.”

“There’s certainly mutual respect. I get along really well with a few of them, and there are some strong relationships between both teams. I’m looking forward to sharing a beer with Ducky (Ben Duckett). It will be a great moment, especially knowing we’ve won the series,” Head said.

Head’s comments come in the wake of focus on England’s off-field conduct, with an investigation ordered after claims surfaced that the tourists’ mid-series break resulted in over-drinking. Media reports focused on the players’ socializing, particularly their time in bars, with Duckett among those mentioned. Rob Key, England’s managing director, who did not accompany the squad to Noosa, said he had no problem with the break but would be concerned if any proof of excessive drinking came to light.