Cricket Mar 16, 2026

Ben Duckett: ECB 'establishing facts' after social media video appears to show England opener drunk

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Ben Duckett: ECB 'establishing facts' after social media video appears to show England opener drunk

The England and Wales Cricket Board says they are "establishing the facts" after a video posted on social media appeared to show a drunken Ben Duckett slurring his words.

The video, posted on X, shows Duckett having a conversation with a group of people who ask if he knows how to get home. It is not clear at this stage when the footage was filmed or by whom.

In response, an ECB spokesperson told Your Site News: "We are aware of content circulating on social media.

"We have high expectations for behaviour, accepting that players are often under intense levels of scrutiny, with established processes that we follow when conduct falls below expectations. We also support players that need assistance.

"We will not comment further at this stage while we establish the facts."

The development comes after England managing director Rob Key promised to investigate the drinking habits of the team, following reports their mid-Ashes beach break resembled a "stag do".

England's disappointing showing in Australia, where they have lost each of the first three Tests to surrender the urn in just 11 days of on-field action, has left the ECB's managing director of men's cricket with plenty of tough questions to answer.

And one of the most pressing involves the issue of alcohol consumption.

The squad visited the idyllic resort of Noosa between the second and third Tests, a long-planned part of the itinerary designed to help players relax and unwind on a long, intense trip.

A host of TV crews, photographers and reporters followed them to the coast and some of the coverage has focused on the amount of time some individuals spent in bars.

England's managing director Key, who did not join the group in Noosa, insisted he had no problem with the break, but would not be happy if he found evidence of over-indulging.

"If there's things where people are saying that our players went out and drank excessively, then of course we'll be looking into that," he said.

"Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol for an international cricket team is not something that I'd expect to see at any stage and it would be a fault not to look into what happened there. From everything that I've heard so far, they actually were pretty well behaved. Very well behaved."

He continued: "We've got enough ways of finding out exactly what happened and everything that I've heard so far that they sat down, had lunch, had dinner, didn't go out late, all of that, had the odd drink. I don't mind that.

"If it goes past that, then that's an issue as far as I'm concerned.

"I have no issue with the Noosa trip if it was to get away and just throw your phone away, down tools, go on the beach, all of that stuff. If it goes into where they're drinking lots and it's a stag do, all of that type of stuff, that's completely unacceptable.

"I'm not a drinker, I think a drinking culture doesn't help anyone in any stretch whatsoever."

Australia lead five-match series 3-0

Tags:

cricket news

Share this article

Related Posts

T20 World Cup: England's Harry Brook thrives at No 3 as Brendon McCullum 'mastermind' move pays off

T20 World Cup: England's Harry Brook thrives at No 3 as Brendon McCullum 'mastermind' move pays off

Many of Brendon McCullum's decisions were panned as England tumbled to a largely self-inflicted 4-1 Ashes defeat this winter - but his latest call rea...

Moeen Ali opens up on future England head coach ambitions and learning from Andrew Flintoff during Lions tour

Moeen Ali opens up on future England head coach ambitions and learning from Andrew Flintoff during Lions tour

Moeen Ali wants to gain some insights from Andrew Flintoff to become a more rounded coach in his bid to one day get the top job with England.Flintoff,...

England vs West Indies: Free live cricket stream from ICC T20 World Cup on the Sky Sports App

England vs West Indies: Free live cricket stream from ICC T20 World Cup on the Sky Sports App

Appy days! Everyone can stream England vs West Indies at the ICC T20 World Cup live for FREE on the Your Site App.England's second game of the tournam...

England in South Africa: Dates confirmed for three-Test series against world champions over Christmas and New Year

England in South Africa: Dates confirmed for three-Test series against world champions over Christmas and New Year

England will face world champions South Africa in a three-Test series over Christmas and New Year before three ODIs in early 2027, but a proposed T20...

Imran Khan: Legendary former cricketers call for 'humane' treatment of ex-Pakistan captain in jail

Imran Khan: Legendary former cricketers call for 'humane' treatment of ex-Pakistan captain in jail

Fourteen former international cricket captains including ex-England skippers Nasser Hussain and Mike Atherton have issued a humanitarian appeal for Im...

U19 Cricket World Cup: 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashes 175 as India beat England in final

U19 Cricket World Cup: 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashes 175 as India beat England in final

India's 14-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi set a new record for the highest score made in an Under-19 Cricket World Cup final as he str...