England’s Ben Duckett completes 3,000 Test runs
England opener Ben Duckett completed 3,000 Test runs on Saturday.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has launched an investigation after a 78-second video clip surfaced online showing England opener Ben Duckett appearing intoxicated and struggling to find his way back to the team hotel in Noosa during the side’s mid-series break.
The video emerged on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, shortly after England’s defeat in the second Test at Brisbane. The incident reportedly occurred during the team’s four-day trip to the Sunshine Coast resort town of Noosa, scheduled between the second and third Ashes Tests.
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What is this behaviour from Ben Duckett. He was completely out of his mind after drinking a lot. Disappointing Attitude. We need to be serious. pic.x.com/KVsCbv73jX
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— Aryan Goel (@Aryan42832Goel) December 23, 2025
England managing director Rob Key confirmed that the ECB would investigate the matter, clarifying that the trip had been organised well in advance by head coach Brendon McCullum and was intended as a mental refresh rather than a holiday. According to ESPNcricinfo, several players were given time off during the break and did not train.
Key, who did not travel with the squad to Noosa, said he trusted the players to conduct themselves professionally. However, following England’s 82-run defeat to Australia in the Adelaide Test, reports emerged likening the trip to a “stag do”, prompting further scrutiny.
Speaking at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday, Key reiterated the board’s stance and confirmed that appropriate action would be taken if necessary.
“If there are things where people are saying that our players went out and drank excessively, then of course we’ll be looking into that,” Key said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
“Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol for an international cricket team is not something that I would expect to see at any stage, and it would be a fault not to look into what happened there. But from everything that I have heard so far, they were very well behaved,” he added.
Key strongly rejected suggestions of a party-like atmosphere during the break.
“If it goes into where they are drinking lots and it is a stag do, all that type of stuff, that’s completely unacceptable. I am not a drinker. I think a drinking culture does not help anyone in any stretch whatsoever,” he said.
Defending the purpose of the trip, Key noted that he had no issues with players having limited downtime.
“I have no issue with the Noosa trip if it was to get away, throw your phone away, down tools, go on the beach. Everything that I’ve heard so far is that they sat down, had lunch, had dinner, did not go out late, had the odd drink. I do not mind that. If it goes past that, then that’s an issue,” he concluded.
Despite showing resilience in the fourth innings while chasing a daunting target of 435 at Adelaide, England were bowled out for 352, extending their wait for an Ashes series victory in Australia since 2010–11.
On Wednesday, England captain Ben Stokes came out in defence of his teammates, stressing the importance of player welfare amid the controversy.
“How I handle this moment right now is the most important thing to me. The welfare of everyone in there, and probably some certain individuals as well, is the most important thing to me right now as England captain,” Stokes said at a press conference ahead of the Boxing Day Test, as quoted by Fox Cricket.
“This is something I have first-hand experience of how it can affect people. My role as England captain is to protect my players as much as I possibly can,” he added.
Stokes also acknowledged England’s struggles on the tour while reaffirming the team’s focus.
“We have a goal still to try and achieve out here on this trip. It’s not gone anywhere near to plan whatsoever,” he said.
“I have a responsibility as captain to try and win games of cricket, but in moments like these I also have the responsibility of making sure I protect my players when I feel that is necessary,” Stokes concluded.
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