A video appearing to show England batter Ben Duckett intoxicated and struggling to find his way back to the team hotel during the ongoing Ashes series in Australia has gone viral, prompting an official investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The controversial footage surfaced on social media platform X on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, casting a shadow over England's campaign and raising fresh questions about player conduct.^[1][2] ### New Allegations Emerge The widely circulated video reportedly depicts Ben Duckett appearing visibly inebriated, struggling to orient himself, and audibly slurring for assistance.^[1] This concerning display reportedly occurred during a "mini-break" for the England squad in Noosa, Queensland, midway through the current Ashes Test series.^[2][3] The team's visit to the idyllic resort town followed their defeat in the first two Tests, which saw Australia clinch the Ashes in just 11 days of on-field action.^[3][4] England's managing director of men's cricket, Rob Key, had previously indicated he would review the team's drinking habits following reports that their mid-Ashes break may have involved excessive alcohol consumption.^[2][4] ### ECB Launches Formal Inquiry The England and Wales Cricket Board has confirmed it has officially commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident shown in the viral video.^[1][2][3] An ECB spokesperson stated, "We are aware of content circulating on social media."^[4] The board emphasized its high expectations for player behavior, acknowledging that cricketers operate under significant public scrutiny.^[4] The ECB also noted it has established processes for addressing conduct that falls below these expectations and offers support to players who need assistance.^[4] The board will not comment further at this stage while it works to establish the facts of the incident.^[4] ### Past Disciplinary Issues Resurface This is not the first time Ben Duckett has faced disciplinary action related to alcohol during an Ashes tour. During the 2017-18 Ashes series in Australia, Duckett was involved in a significant incident in Perth.^[5][3][6] He poured a drink, believed to be beer, over the head of senior England bowler James Anderson at The Avenue Bar.^[7][8][9] This occurred in December 2017, in the early hours of the morning, after a team quiz night and following the temporary lifting of a midnight curfew that had been imposed due to an earlier controversy involving Jonny Bairstow.^[5][10][8] Then England head coach Trevor Bayliss expressed his anger, describing the incident as "trivial, but in the current climate not acceptable."^[8][9] He also said he was "fed up" with having to deal with off-field matters.^[9] Following an inter-disciplinary hearing, Duckett was fined, suspended from a warm-up match, and ultimately sent home from the England Lions tour.^[3][6][11] Andrew Strauss, then England's Director of Cricket, stated the decision was made to protect team culture and discipline, asserting that talent alone would not excuse misconduct.^[6] Duckett later acknowledged the 2017 incident, revealing in 2024 that Anderson had thrown a drink at him first, prompting his reaction.^[12][11] Anderson himself downplayed the event as a "silly incident."^[12] ### Broader Concerns for England Cricket The latest incident involving Ben Duckett adds to a pattern of off-field controversies that have plagued England's Ashes tours. The 2017-18 series was already under pressure from the Ben Stokes incident in Bristol and the Jonny Bairstow "headbutt" incident with Cameron Bancroft.^[8][9][11] These past events led to strict curfews and increased scrutiny on player behavior.^[8][11] England managing director Rob Key clarified that the recent four-day break in Noosa was a planned initiative by head coach Brendon McCullum, designed to help players relax.^[3][4] Key stated he has no issue with players having "the odd drink" during a break, but drew a firm line against excessive drinking or the atmosphere of a "stag do."^[4] He emphasized that the ECB has ways to determine what happened and expects high standards of conduct from its players.^[4] The current allegations, while being treated separately from the 2017 event, bring renewed focus on player discipline at a time when the team is struggling on the field.^[3][6] The ECB's investigation into the viral video continues as the England team prepares for the remainder of the Ashes series, facing further scrutiny both on and off the pitch.^[1][4]

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