England to review reports of players’ drinking during Ashes break

England team director Rob Key has said the management will review reports alleging excessive drinking by players during a break between the second and third Ashes Tests.

The comments came after Australia secured an 82-run victory in the third Test in Adelaide on Sunday, taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series and retaining the Ashes.

Following defeats in the opening Tests in Perth and Brisbane, the England squad spent time in Noosa, where British and Australian media reports claimed players drank heavily during the break.

Speaking to the BBC, Key said some reports appeared exaggerated but stressed that any excessive behaviour would not be acceptable. He said the team would examine the facts rather than rely on headlines or isolated images circulating in the media.

Key added that he did not support a drinking culture within the team and reiterated that prolonged or excessive alcohol consumption would be unacceptable if proven.

He also recalled having warned players before the series against engaging in behaviour that could attract criticism or distract from on-field performance.

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald, meanwhile, said he did not expect celebrations following the Adelaide Test to affect his team’s preparation for the next match. He said the players were professionals and understood how to ready themselves for a Test match.

The fourth Test of the Ashes series is scheduled to begin on Friday in Melbourne.