A much-needed break that was intended to help the England players regroup in the ongoing Ashes has turned into an unfolding controversy, with senior cricket bosses now investigating social media footage and off-field behaviour from players during the squad’s stay at Noosa Beach. The situation intensified after a video clip of England opener Ben Duckett circulated on social media, showing him appearing intoxicated and unable to find his way back to the team hotel. Meanwhile, former England captain Michael Vaughan defended Ben Duckett, stating that a few drinks on downtime are part of the sport’s culture and shouldn’t overshadow their on-field performance issues.
“I am not going to criticise England for what they got up to in Noosa. I criticise what they do on the cricket field, the way they play and the way they prepare to play cricket.
“I am not going to point the finger at a group of young people who have had a few beers on a couple of days off. I did exactly the same as them when I played for England, although I did at least know when it was time to go home and that is probably what Ben Duckett needs to learn.”
Vaughan also rubbished the calls for disciplinary action.
“Duckett should not be reprimanded at all on the evidence we have seen, and neither should the other players, because it is a wider issue: the game of cricket has created this drinking culture. England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa all have the same culture. You give a group of young people three or four days off to relax, and they’re going to do something like that,” he added.