Rob Key has been England director of cricket since 2022
England to probe allegations of drinking during the Ashes
Key mentioned that he had previously examined claims regarding white-ball captain Harry Brook and batter Jacob Bethell consuming alcohol on the eve of a match while on the limited-overs tour of New Zealand, which came before the Ashes. A video featuring Brook and Bethell surfaced on social media, allegedly recorded in Wellington the night before the third one-day international on 1 November. “I didn’t consider it serious enough for formal warnings, but it certainly warranted some informal ones,” stated Key. “No formal measures were taken. For four years, we haven’t faced such issues with any players, and we have an entire procedure in place for instances like this—guidelines for managing any misconduct.” He added, “That served as a bit of a wake-up call for what lies ahead. I have no issues with players enjoying a glass of wine during dinner. Beyond that, I think it’s unreasonable.” In spite of the concerns surrounding the actions of a few players in Noosa, Key supported their right to take a break from the Ashes. Brook, Bethell, Ben Duckett, Jofra Archer, and others could find themselves away from home for nearly six months due to the tours of New Zealand, Australia, and the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka early next year. “Harry Brook will only be at home for a mere six days throughout this winter,” Key remarked. “It’s vital that we establish opportunities for these players to step away from cricket, as they won’t manage that by remaining at home.” He acknowledged, “We exist in an era where it’s almost impossible to escape cricket. I can see it on my phone, with every Instagram post appearing. Players claim they shouldn’t check it, yet they do.” Key concluded, “You can’t avoid cricket, especially during an Ashes series and the accompanying scrutiny. Being able to get away and momentarily forget all of that, to live like an ordinary person, is crucial.”
Published: 2025-12-23 12:37:00
source: www.bbc.com
