An unexpected voice has entered the ongoing controversy surrounding the England cricket team's mid-Ashes break in Noosa, Australia. Darren Lehmann, the former Australian head coach, has surprisingly defended the English players against allegations of excessive drinking and unprofessional behavior during their time off.
Reports in the English media have suggested that several players indulged in heavy drinking during their six-day stay in the resort town of Noosa, taken between the second and third Ashes Tests. This led to criticism and an investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) into the team's conduct. Rob Key, England's managing director of men's cricket, has pledged to investigate the team's conduct. Key stated that the board would not encourage or tolerate excessive alcohol consumption by international players.
However, Lehmann, speaking on ABC Sport, claimed he was also in Noosa at the same time as the England team and witnessed no such behavior. "I was in Noosa and this bugs me," Lehmann stated. "I am all for getting stuck into England. They haven't played well enough...I get all that. But I was actually there. They were actually really well behaved. They mixed with the locals, had a good time".
Lehmann further refuted claims that the break resembled a "stag do," asserting that the players were "polite and a delight to the people of Noosa". He added that they "played golf, played soccer with the locals, all that sort of stuff. They were well-liked there".
The accusations against the England team intensified after their 82-run loss in the third Ashes Test, which resulted in them losing the series. A video also surfaced appearing to show England's opening batter Ben Duckett unable to remember how to get back to his hotel. In the video posted on X, Duckett was apparently talking with a group of people. When a woman asked if he knew how to get home, he allegedly replied “No" and the conversation then continues with Duckett appearing disorientated. Duckett was also filmed calling a fan a 'p****'.
England captain Ben Stokes has defended his team, emphasizing the importance of the players' mental health and welfare during the tour. Stokes alluded to his own past experiences with media scrutiny, referencing his 2017 affray case, for which he was found not guilty.
Despite Lehmann's defense, the ECB is proceeding with its investigation into the matter. An ECB spokesperson stated that they are aware of the circulating content and have "high expectations for behavior," adding that they have established processes for addressing conduct that falls below expectations.
The controversy has sparked debate about the place of alcohol in professional sports and the balance between relaxation and maintaining professional standards during tours. Former England captain Michael Vaughan blamed 'cricket' for the drinking culture in teams. The England team now faces the challenge of addressing these concerns while trying to salvage some pride in the remaining Ashes Tests. The fourth Test is scheduled to begin on December 26 in Melbourne.
