Australian Travis Head hopes to restart post-Ashes drinks tradition with England; why it broke down in 2023 | Cricket News

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A row of beers is seen during the second day of the second test match of the 2025/26 Ashes series between Australia and England at the Gabba on December 5, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo/Getty Images)

Australian opener Travis Head said he hoped England and Australia would return to their tradition of sharing a drink after the Ashes, a practice which was disrupted during the 2023 series due to strained relations between the teams.Australia lead the current five-Test series 3-1 and have already sealed the competition, marking their fifth consecutive Ashes series victory and continued possession of the urn.

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Tensions between the sides escalated during the second Test of the 2023 Ashes in England after Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey flummoxed Jonny Bairstow. Bairstow had stepped out of his crease dodging a Cameron Green delivery, leading to a run-out that sparked a debate around the “spirit of cricket”.Head said he was looking forward to the opportunity for post-series drinks at the Sydney Cricket Ground and felt both teams played the match fairly.“There is definitely mutual respect,” he said in comments published by The Australian newspaper on Wednesday.“I get along really well with a few of them.”“There’s a really good relationship between the two teams. I’m looking forward to having a beer with Ducky (Ben Duckett). So, yeah, it would be a good time. It’s obviously nice to go there knowing we won the series.”Australia retained the urn with their victory in the third Test in Adelaide, giving them a 3-1 lead.During the 2023 series, relations deteriorated further after Australian players were abused by England fans in the Long Room at Lord’s following the Bairstow incident. England head coach Brendon McCullum later told the BBC he could not imagine his team meeting the Australians for drinks at that time.After England won the final Test at the Oval by 49 runs to level that series 2–2, McCullum declared that England would meet Australia for a drink. This meeting did not take place, leading to criticism of England in some Australian media.England captain Ben Stokes later denied his team had snubbed Australia, saying in a social media post that England’s post-series events at the Oval took longer than expected due to farewells from players and staff.The fifth Test of the current series begins in Sydney on January 4.