The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has launched an inquiry into a video circulating online that appears to show England batter Ben Duckett intoxicated and struggling to return to the team hotel during a mini-break to Noosa, scheduled between the second and third Ashes Tests.
The footage surfaced on X (formerly Twitter) shortly after men’s managing director Rob Key confirmed that the ECB would investigate the trip to the Sunshine Coast, which came after England’s eight-wicket loss in Brisbane left them 2-0 down in the series.
The four-day Noosa trip, organized by head coach Brendon McCullum a year in advance, was intended to give players a short period of recovery and mental refreshment. Training was not scheduled during the break, and several squad members used the time to unwind.
While England showed some improvement in Adelaide, they ultimately lost by 82 runs, allowing Australia to secure an unassailable series lead and retain the Ashes in just 11 days. Ahead of the fourth Test in Melbourne, Key said he would examine the Noosa trip but emphasized that he believed the players had generally behaved responsibly.
The ECB issued a statement acknowledging the video and the ongoing review: “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 that need assistance. We will not comment further at this stage while we establish the facts.”
Duckett, who has had a difficult Ashes campaign, has scored just 97 runs at an average of 16.16, placing him at the bottom among England’s specialist batters. His highest score in the series so far is 29.
The 31-year-old has a history of off-field incidents on Ashes tours. In 2017-18, while part of the England Lions squad, Duckett was sent home and fined after pouring a drink over James Anderson at a Perth bar, resulting in a suspension.
The video has sparked debate among fans and media alike, given its timing during a period when the team was struggling on the field. Observers have questioned the balance between team morale, player welfare, and professional conduct.
Key’s comments suggest that while the ECB is taking the matter seriously, the organization may consider the context of the trip and the players’ efforts to recover from a challenging start to the series.
As the investigation continues, Duckett remains part of the squad for the fourth Test, and the ECB has indicated that further statements will follow once the facts have been established. The outcome could influence disciplinary decisions as well as discussions about squad management and off-field conduct in future tours.
