England's cricket chief, Rob Key, has pledged to launch an investigation into the national Test team's drinking habits following a series of heavy defeats in the Ashes. The move comes amid growing scrutiny over the players' conduct during a pre-planned holiday in Noosa on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
Noosa Holiday Under the Microscope
The England squad took scheduled time off in Noosa after losing the first two Tests in Perth and Brisbane, opting for the break instead of an immediate return to intensive training. However, after a subsequent defeat in Adelaide, reports surfaced suggesting the trip resembled a stag party more than a mental reset for the struggling team.
"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 stated ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. He emphasised that excessive alcohol consumption is unacceptable for an international side at any time.
Key revealed that, based on initial information from added security and other sources, the players were largely well-behaved. "They sat down, had lunch, had dinner, didn’t go out late, all of that, had the odd drink. I don’t mind that," he said. His issue would be if the trip crossed a line into heavy, sustained drinking.
Reports of Extended Drinking Sessions
Despite Key's initial defence, details from Noosa painted a concerning picture. According to a report in The Telegraph, some players engaged in lengthy drinking sessions. "After drowning their sorrows after the Brisbane Test, it is no exaggeration to say some — certainly not all — players drank for five or six days," the publication claimed.
Further reports indicated a lack of team-wide commitment to fitness during the break. Star all-rounder Ben Stokes was said to have gone for a run alone after teammates declined to join him. The following day, only three players—Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, and Shoaib Bashir—took up an opportunity to run with the fitness coach.
Previous Warnings and Future Pressure
Key confirmed that this was not the first alcohol-related issue recently. He disclosed that players Jacob Bethell and Gus Atkinson had received an informal warning after drinking the night before a One-Day International against New Zealand in November.
"I don’t mind players having a glass of wine over dinner," Key clarified. "Anything more than that, I think, is ridiculous, really. We’ve had four years where we’ve had none of these issues with any of the players."
The investigation into the team's culture adds another layer of pressure on Key's own position. With England facing the prospect of another Ashes whitewash in Australia, following a drawn series at home against India, his role and his upcoming decision on coach Brendon McCullum's future are under intense scrutiny.
