England team director Rob Key has said management will look into and investigate reports that players drank excessively during a break between the second and third Ashes Tests this month.
After eight-wicket defeats in Perth and Brisbane, the England camp took a break in Noosa, with reports in the British and Australian media that the players were drinking all the time in the holiday hotspot.
Speaking to the media in Melbourne ahead of the Boxing Day Test, Rob Key said the reports would be taken seriously.
“Stories about players drinking for six days are unacceptable. We will investigate what the facts are, as opposed to things that have been embellished or elaborated.”
“Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol is not something I would expect from an international cricket team at any stage.”
“If people say our players were drinking excessively, then of course we will look into that,” Key said.
Key added that it would be a mistake not to assess the situation, although early feedback suggested the players were “very well behaved”.
The Ashes director said that “the purpose of the break should have been rest and mental recovery, reports BBC.
“Heavy drinking or a stag party is completely unacceptable,” he added.
Key also revealed that he had previously looked into reports of England players drinking the night before a limited-overs match in New Zealand ahead of the Ashes tour. Although no formal action was taken, informal warnings were issued.
Despite England losing the Ashes in just eleven matchdays – one of the fastest defeats in more than a century – Key backed head coach Brendon McCullum. However, both men’s futures are still under review by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Reflecting on recent disappointments, including a drawn home Ashes series and a home series against India, Key admitted England had failed on big occasions.
“The great ones have eluded us,” he said. “We have to evolve and do things better.”
Meanwhile, Australian coach Andrew McDonald said he was not concerned about his team’s readiness after celebrating their series win.
“They’re all adults,” he said. “They know how to prepare for a test match. I don’t expect a hangover on Boxing Day.”
