Star Australia batter Travis Head has said that mutual respect still exists between his team and the England side, despite the massive war of words that ensued during the 2023 Ashes, adding that he is good
friends with a few English players and he would love the drinks tradition to be back.
Australia lead the ongoing five-Test series 3-1 and have already sealed the contest, bagging their fifth successive Ashes series victory over England and retaining the urn.
Tensions flared during the second Test of the 2023 Ashes in England when Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey stumped Jonny Bairstow after he stepped out of his crease while ducking a ball from Cameron Green, a dismissal that ignited debate over the so-called ‘spirit of cricket’.
“There’s definitely mutual respect. I get along with a couple of them really well. There are some really good relationships with both teams. I’m looking forward to having a beer with Ducky (Ben Duckett),” Head said while speaking to The Australian.
“So, yeah, it’d be a nice moment. It’s obviously nice going there knowing that we’ve won the series,” Head added.
Relations deteriorated further during the 2023 series after Australian cricketers were subjected to abuse from England supporters in the Long Room at Lord’s after the Bairstow incident.
England head coach Brendon McCullum later told the BBC that he couldn’t imagine his team sharing drinks with the Aussies at that stage.
McCullum later said that the teams would come together after England won the final Test, which ended the series in a 2-2 draw. However, the delay attracted criticism from sections of the Aussie media, with claims that England had avoided the traditional gathering.
England skipper Ben Stokes dismissed those suggestions, explaining that post-series commitments at The Oval ran longer than expected because of farewell moments for cricketers and staff.
In contrast, the 2025 Ashes in Australia has been played in a far more cordial atmosphere, with any controversy limited to problems affecting both sides, such as disputed Snicko readings and the MCG track for the fourth Test, which resulted in the second two-day game of the series.
