The Ashes: England will investigate reports of Noosa drinking – Rob Key

Paul Farbrace was part of England’s coaching staff during the 2017-18 Ashes, where they lost 4-0.

Ben Stokes was ruled out on the eve of that series with the outcome of an affray charge for an incident in a Bristol nightclub still not known. He was later cleared.

A week into the tour, wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow was alleged to have headbutted Australia batter Cameron Bancroft, while later in the tour Duckett was dropped from the squad after pouring a drink over James Anderson.

Farbarce said the Australian media are “so aggressive” and “so in your face”, but England should have expected that pressure before the series.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about England and the drinking in Noosa, Farbrace said: “They are dopey. That is the bottom line.

“They’ve been outplayed, outfought and outplanned. Australia have done everything better than England.

“The Australian media cause as much issue for the England cricket team as they possibly can.

“It is the one big series that everyone hangs their hat on. The pressure from everyone around is intense and immense and you do need a break and you do need to switch off.

“But, let’s be honest, going to sit in a middle of a high street with lots of people, right near the beach, drinking beers from lunchtime is not a good look. That’s why I say they are dopey.

“They could have done it in private at their hotel or away from the glaring public eye and been a bit more sensible.

“As a coach, you are trying to find the right balance to keep the team in a good place and keep them fresh and ready, but it is a dopey look and it just adds to the narrative around this team that they are a very arrogant group of people and don’t care what people think about them.

“They do care about winning, don’t get me wrong, but they’ve given so many headlines to so many people. All they’ve done is set themselves up for a fall and it really is a great shame.

“England are where they deserve to be in this series but their drinking has not cost them the series, that’s the bottom line.”