England captain Ben Stokes has vowed to protect his team in trouble and support under-fire opener Ben Duckett.
The tourists have already surrendered their pots after losing 3-0 and preparations for the Boxing Day Test have been delayed by reports of excessive drinking on a trip to Noosa midway through the series.
Within hours of managing director Rob Key announcing an investigation into the team’s alcohol consumption on the road, unverified footage surfaced on social media showing an inebriated Duckett having tense interactions with members of the public.
Speaking for the first time since the England and Wales Cricket Board issued a statement reiterating “high expectations of conduct”, Stokes said his priority as captain was to protect his players from increased scrutiny.
Stokes has had some difficult times in his career, including being removed from the England Lions’ tour in 2013 for breaching team regulations and being found not guilty of assault after an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in 2017.
He took a break from the game in 2021 for mental health reasons and has since released a documentary detailing his personal struggles.
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Rob Key has come under fire for England’s break against Noosa between the second and third Ashes Tests, claiming it was like a “stag do” and believes there is no drinking culture within the team.
“I’m obviously aware of all the reports and everything that’s been out there,” the England captain said. “My main concern right now is the players and how we handle this moment is the most important thing for me.
“I have first-hand experience of how this affects people and my role as England captain is to protect my players as best I can. It’s really important to support them and let them know that I’m there for them no matter what, and Ben Duckett knows that too.”
“I’ve obviously been reaching out to him, talking to him and giving him my full support, especially in moments like this where you feel like everything is on you.”
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England national team managing director Rob Key has backed Brendon McCullum, saying he is the best man to continue leading England despite their heavy loss to Australia in the Ashes.
“My job as England captain is obviously to go out there and get results for the team, but also to try to give people the best chance of having the mental space to go out there and perform.”
Detailing his conversation with Mr Duckett, he said: “You know what it’s like to go up to somebody and say, ‘If you need five minutes, I’m always here.’ I just reassured him that I wasn’t saying that to do it. Just come to me because I know what it’s like here. This is not a comfortable place.”
Archer rises from the ashes, Bethel replaces Pope
With no reserve openers on tour, there was never any chance of Duckett being overwhelmed in Melbourne, but as expected, Ollie Pope finally ran out of the way at number three. Jacob Bethel got the nod in what was arguably the biggest match of his career.
Pope had been under pressure for a year, averaging 17 innings in 16 Ashes innings, and lost his vice-captainship just before traveling to Australia. He now faces a long road back to county cricket and his return after 64 Tests.
Gus Atkinson will also return to the England XI in place of Jofra Archer, but England’s most threatening pace bowler will miss the remainder of the tour due to a worrying strain in his left flank.
Ashes Series in Australia 2025-26
Australia leads series 5 games 3-0
