Rob Key has defended England’s mid-tour break in Noosa but confirmed he will look into reports that excessive drinking by players in between the second and third Ashes Tests turned it into a “glorified stag do”. According to the BBC, a number of players spent six days drinking, having begun after the eight-wicket defeat in Brisbane. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol for an international cricket team is not something that I’d expect to see at any stage. So I think it’s so important that these players, especially multi-format players, can get away and live a normal life. [But] if it goes into where they’re drinking lots and it’s a stag do, that’s completely unacceptable.

Source: BBC December 23, 2025 13:27 UTC