England cricket officials said they will review reports concerning players’ drinking habits during the ongoing Ashes tour in Australia, following media claims of excessive alcohol consumption during a mid-series break.
England’s managing director of men’s cricket, Rob Key, said the issue would be looked into after reports emerged about players socialising during time off in Noosa between Tests.
Key said he had no issue with players having a drink during scheduled breaks but added that it would be “a fault not to look into” claims of excess if they proved to be accurate. He noted that the break had been built into the tour itinerary to allow players to recover during the long series.
The review comes as England struggle on the field in the Ashes, with Australia having already retained the urn. England have faced criticism over both performances and discipline during the tour.
Officials said there has been no formal finding of misconduct so far, and the review is aimed at establishing the facts rather than issuing immediate disciplinary action.
England Cricket has not announced a timeline for the review or indicated whether any players would face sanctions. (Newswire)