The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed it is looking into a viral video circulating on social media that appears to show England opener Ben Duckett intoxicated and struggling to find his way back to the team hotel during a mid-Ashes series break in Noosa, Australia.
What the Video Shows
A clip posted on X (formerly Twitter) appears to show Duckett slurring his speech and looking disoriented while speaking to bystanders outside what seemed to be a pub in Noosa. In the footage, he appears unsure how to get back to his accommodation, prompting public and media attention.
ECB Response
The ECB has issued a brief statement acknowledging awareness of the content and saying it is actively “establishing the facts” around it. Officials have stressed that players are expected to meet high standards of conduct, given the intense scrutiny elite athletes face. At this stage, the ECB says it won’t comment further until the investigation clarifies when and how the video was taken.
England’s managing director of men’s cricket, Rob Key, had already indicated earlier that the board would review the squad’s Noosa break — a four-day stopover between the second and third Tests that was meant to help players “refresh and unwind.” Key said he wouldn’t tolerate excessive alcohol consumption if substantiated, even while defending the break itself as planned well in advance.
Context in the Ashes Tour
This off-field issue comes amid a difficult Ashes 2025–26 campaign for England, who lost the first three Tests and surrendered the urn to Australia. Duckett’s form with the bat has also been under pressure, with just 97 runs at an average of 16.16 in the series to date.
Past Conduct
This isn’t the first time Duckett’s behavior off the field has drawn scrutiny. During the 2017–18 Ashes tour, he was suspended and fined by the ECB after an incident in a Perth bar — an episode that led to his removal from the England Lions squad.
The ECB has launched an investigation to verify a viral video that appears to show Ben Duckett intoxicated during a mid-series break in Noosa. Officials are gathering facts before deciding on any disciplinary steps, emphasizing expected standards of professional conduct amid intense public scrutiny.
