Credit: England Cricket
England Cricket Board are set investigate reports of players drinking excessively during a break from the Ashes series in the beach town of Noosa. The England squad spent four nights in Noosa, between the second and third Tests. Some outlets, including the BBC, reported that some players were drinking for a significant portion of their time in Noosa, as well as on two previous days in Brisbane ahead of the third Test.
England were beaten by 82 runs and lost the series 3-0 meaning they cannot win back the Ashes from Australia. After this result there were news regarding this break from several outlets. Rob Key said that they will investigate the drinking habits of England players, after reports of their mid-Ashes Noosa break resembled a stag do. Key also said on Tuesday that England had mucked up again with their performance in a major Test series.
England’s disastrous tour, where they have lost the Ashes series in just 11 days of play, has left the ECB managing director with plenty of tough questions to answer. He was supposed to have an all-in media conference in Melbourne on Tuesday ahead of the Fourth Test. “If there’s things where people are saying that our players went out and drank excessively, then of course we’ll be looking into that,” Key said.
Rob Key then added “I have no issue with the Noosa trip if it was to get away and just throw your phone away, down tools, go on the beach, all of that stuff. If it goes into where they’re drinking lots and it’s a stag do, all of that type of stuff, that’s completely unacceptable. I’m not a drinker, I think a drinking culture doesn’t help anyone in any stretch”
Rob Key also showed his confidence in Brendon McCullum and reinstated that he was the best man to coach this side. He also hinted Jacob Bethell has to replace Ollie Pope in the side. The fourth Test match will start on the Boxing Day on 26th December. Australia have already retained the Ashes.
