AUS vs ENG: ECB questions England players over heavy drinking after Ashes defeat

The ongoing Ashes 2025/26 series is worsening for the England team. England has already lost the series 0-3, after losing 3 consecutive matches. There are still two matches left in the series, but before that, a few England players have been accused of heavy drinking. Some reports suggest that English cricket players were involved in excessive alcohol consumption during their trip to Noosa. 

The England Cricket Board (ECB) is investigating an unverified video featuring Ben Duckett, who appears quite drunk and seems to be struggling to find his way back to the team hotel. The ECB asked England skipper Ben Stokes during their inquiries about the allegations regarding the players’ drinking habits. In response, Ben Stokes didn’t specify any names. He stated that his primary concern is the team’s welfare. 

“How I handle this moment right now is the most important thing to me. The welfare of everyone in there and probably certain individuals as well is the most important thing to me right now as England captain,” he told reporters at a press conference before the Boxing Day Test.

“This kind of stuff is very—I don’t know if ‘close to me’ is the right wording—but something that I have first-hand experience of how it can affect people. And as I said, my role as England captain is to protect my players as much as I possibly can," he added.

Stokes further stated that England lost the Ashes 2025/26 series, and they will now play for pride. He said that he understands the pressure such allegations can put on his players, but as a captain, he will always stand with his team.

“We have a goal still to try and achieve out here on this trip. It’s not gone anywhere near to plan whatsoever. We’ve still got two games of cricket to play. We’ve still got a lot of effort and energy to put in in the remaining part of this tour. Looking after my players is one of the main things that I need to get out of this because we need to go out there and win two games of cricket. I know how this kind of stuff can affect people, and as I said, I will always protect my players as much as I possibly can," Stokes said.

"Right here, right now, that is my main job as England captain: to ensure that they know that they have my backing because the most important thing to me, sitting here right now, is a group of players who I can get into the best possible state to go out there and try and perform for this country and the remainder of this trip," he added.

The England team has already lost the series and is currently focusing on the next cricket match, which begins on December 26 at MCG. The hosts, Australia, defeated Ben Stokes & side at Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide, & with this, they sealed the series. Australia is now looking to whitewash the England side for the fourth time in Ashes history. They have already whitewashed England three times in a 5-match Ashes series.