The England Cricket Board (ECB) is seeking to verify a video which appears to show Ben Duckett drunk and unable to find his way back to the team hotel during the team’s mini-break between the second and third Ashes tests.
ECB chief Rob Key has initiated an investigation, stressing zero tolerance for excess. While the ECB allows moderation, captain Ben Stokes has fiercely defended player welfare amid media scrutiny.
The Experts remained divided, with some dismissing the claims as exaggerated and others warning about optics during failure.
With England having showcased poor performances in the ongoing The Ashes 2025/26, the controversy has raised concerns over discipline and modern cricket’s unforgiving spotlight.
The video emerged on X on Tuesday and hours after men’s managing director Rob Key confirmed there would be an investigation into the trip to the Sunshine Coast resort town, which followed an 8-wicket defeat in Brisbane that put them 2-0 in the series.
The four-day trip to Noosa was not likely a holiday which had been organised by head coach Brendon McCullum, who believed it would refresh the players. A number of the squad leaned into the time off, with no training scheduled during this period.
🚨🚨 ECB has launched an investigation into English PLAYERS’ beer-drinking for 6 days out of 9 during trip to Noosa just before 3rd test.
– This video is of Ben DUCKETT. he was found by Australians on THE streets of Noosa under the huge influence of alcohol.
– After losing the 2nd test,… pic.twitter.com/Dsbn25VOKu
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) December 23, 2025
With England’s 82-run defeat, Australia secured an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series with two matches remaining. Speaking ahead of the MCG test, ECB managing director Rob Key said he would look into the trip but believed the players had been ‘very well behaved’.
The ECB statement said, “We are aware of content circulating on social media. We have high expectations for behaviour, accepting that players are often under intense levels of scrutiny, with established processes that we follow when conduct falls below expectations. We also support players who need assistance.”
“We will not comment further at this stage while we establish the facts.” Ben Duckett has had a tough series with 97 runs at an average of 16.16, putting him bottom of the tourists’ specialist batters on both metrics, with a top score of 29.
The 31-year-old had previously been on Ashes tours. Eight years ago, while part of the Lions squad for the 2017-18 series, he was sent home with a fine and suspension by the ECB for pouring a drink over James Anderson in the Avenue Bar in Perth.
The fourth test of the series will be played between December 26-30 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne.
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