The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has launched an investigation into allegations of excessive drinking by England players during the ongoing Ashes series, following reports surrounding the team’s mid-series break in Noosa, Queensland.
The controversy has emerged at a difficult time for England, who have already lost the Ashes after falling 3-0 behind Australia in just 11 days of cricket.
England’s squad spent four nights in Noosa between the second and third Tests, a break that had been planned before the tour began. However, multiple media reports, including from the BBC, claimed that some players were drinking heavily during their stay, as well as on previous days in Brisbane, where the second Test was played.
The situation escalated after a video circulated on social media appearing to show England opener Ben Duckett in an intoxicated state.
While the footage has not been independently verified, it attracted widespread attention and sparked criticism amid England’s struggles on the field.
England director of cricket Rob Key confirmed that the ECB is now working to establish the facts behind the claims. Speaking to BBC Sport, Key said the board would separate reality from exaggeration.
“We’ll be looking into seeing what the facts are as opposed to the things that have been embellished or elaborated on,” he stated.
He also criticised some media narratives, adding, “Headlines can be misleading at times, saying it’s a stag do and stuff like that.”
Public images fuel scrutiny
Photos and footage of players drinking in public areas in Noosa further intensified the debate. According to Key, context is important when judging such images. “When you see a picture of five or six guys sitting down for lunch, a couple of them having drinks, you need to see what’s going on with that,” he explained.
Despite defending players’ right to relax, Key reiterated his stance against excessive drinking. “If it’s true that it became a stag do, and people are out drinking all the time excessively, that’s not acceptable. I don’t agree with a drinking culture,” he added.
Not everyone agrees with the criticism. Former Australia batter and head coach Darren Lehmann, who spent time with some England players in Noosa, strongly defended them.
Speaking to ABC Radio, Lehmann said the reports were exaggerated. “They were actually really well behaved. They mixed with the locals and had a good time,” he said.
ECB’s past experiences and player welfare
This is not the first time the ECB has faced questions about player conduct. Rob Key revealed that white-ball captain Harry Brook and batter Jacob Bethell were previously given informal warnings after being seen drinking the night before an ODI in New Zealand.
“There wasn’t any formal action,” Key said, noting that the incident served as a reminder of professional standards.
At the same time, Key stressed the importance of mental and physical recovery. Several England players, including Brook, Duckett, and Jofra Archer, are set to spend long periods away from home due to packed international schedules. “Harry Brook is going to only be at home for six days this entire winter,” Key explained.
What happens next?
The ECB will now assess evidence and reports before deciding whether any action is required. While Rob Key maintains that rest breaks are essential, he remains firm on standards. “Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol for an international cricket team is not something that I’d expect to see,” he said.
As England attempts to salvage pride in the remaining Tests, the focus will not only be on performances on the field, but also on professionalism and discipline off it.
