England launch investigation after players ‘drank for six days’ before Ashes embarrassment | Cricket | Sport
Rob Key has confirmed an inquiry into ‘unacceptable’ claims that England‘s cricket stars transformed their mid-Ashes break into a boozy stag party with excessive drinking. The players spent four nights in the Australian coastal resort of Noosa between the second and third Tests, suffering defeats in both matches. They now trail 3-0 with just two fixtures left, guaranteeing their lengthy drought without an Ashes triumph Down Under continues.
Adding to the outrage over their woeful displays and inadequate preparation, multiple outlets including BBC Sport reported that certain players consumed alcohol for six days straight. Reports suggest the drinking started in Brisbane, where the second Test was held, before continuing in Noosa. At that stage, merely six days of Ashes action had been completed.
Australia claimed the opener in Perth inside two days before needing four days to defeat England in Brisbane. After the visitors’ crushing 82-run defeat in Adelaide, England managing director Key addressed reports of excessive drinking.
“Headlines can be misleading at times, saying it’s a stag do and stuff like that,” he said.
“Stories of players drinking six days solid – that’s unacceptable. We’ll be looking into seeing what the facts are as opposed to the things that have been embellished or elaborated on.”
The trip to Noosa was organised before the tour and former England batsman Key was not in attendance.
The cricketers were consistently tracked by Australian journalists and footage of them drinking on the main shopping street was shown on national television.
“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,” added Key.
“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. I don’t like a drinking culture.”
The investigation will heighten pressure on the already under-fire Brendon McCullum. England’s head coach insists he wishes to stay in his role but acknowledges the choice won’t rest with him.
Speaking before the fourth Test in Melbourne, which begins on Boxing Day, McCullum said: “It’s a pretty good gig. It’s good fun. You travel the world with the lads and try to play some exciting cricket and try to achieve some things.
“You want to try to get the best out of people. I don’t do anything to protect the job. It’s a matter of trying to just get the very best out of the people and try to achieve what you can with them.”
Australia will be missing both Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon for the fourth Test. Cummins will continue his recovery from a recent back injury after featuring only in Adelaide, whilst Lyon will undergo surgery following a torn hamstring.
