England’s tough Ashes campaign has taken another turn after videos involving batters Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell began circulating online, bringing unwanted attention off the field. Led by Ben Stokes, the side has already been under pressure after Australia wrapped up the Ashes in just 11 days, with England losing all three Tests so far.
One of the videos shows Duckett appearing confused and struggling to find his way back to his hotel room. In the clip, a bystander is heard jokingly asking whether he needs a cab back to the training ground, which has added to questions around the team’s conduct away from the field.
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Bethell has also come under scrutiny after multiple videos surfaced showing him vaping and dancing with an unidentified person at a nightclub. These clips have raised concerns about player discipline and focus, particularly during such a demanding Ashes series.
ECB issues statement
In response to the recent controversy, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has said it will look into the matter. Rob Key, managing director of England men’s cricket, confirmed that reports of excessive alcohol use during the team’s mid-Ashes break in Noosa will be reviewed. He, however, downplayed claims of serious misconduct and highlighted that the break was intended to allow players to relax during a long tour.
“We are aware of content circulating on social media. We have high expectations for behaviour, understanding that players are often under intense scrutiny, with established processes in place when conduct falls short. We also provide support for players who need it. We will not comment further at this stage while we establish the facts,” the statement read.
The ECB also noted previous incidents involving social media clips of Bethell and Harry Brook, which had resulted in informal warnings rather than formal disciplinary action.