The Ashes

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Former wicketkeeper Matt Prior says there is "deep-rooted issue that is synonymous with cricket tours" after England said they will investigate reports of drinking during the Ashes tour.

There were reports of players drinking excessively during a break from the Ashes series in the beach town of Noosa.

The England squad spent four nights on the Queensland coast between the second and third Tests.

Several media outlets, including the BBC, reported that some players were drinking for a significant portion of their time in Noosa, as well as on two previous days in Brisbane, the venue for the second Test.

England director of cricket Rob Key said they will investigate, adding that "drinking six days solid is unacceptable" but "headlines can be misleading".

Later on Tuesday, the England and Wales Cricket Board [ECB} said they were aware of a video of opener Ben Duckett circulating on social media.

In the video, Duckett is asked if he knows how to get home. He says "no" and later swears at a member of the public.

The ECB said it is "establishing the facts" around the video, and that it has "high expectations" around player behaviour.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Prior said: "This doesn't shock me - whenever England lose in Australia there is a drinking culture and all of these things come out.

"If it was a stag do - as has been used - that is a headline and of course there are a lot of England fans that are angry and rightly so, this will grab a huge amount of attention.

"If it is the case [players acting like they were on a stag do] then that isn't right and England have got another thing on this tour. It is a tour full of mistakes so far.

"One thing I would suggest is that England tours, partiulclary in Australia, are incredibly pressurised and when you're up and against it there is no escape. With social media these days there is nowhere to go.

"This is the not first time - there is a more deep-rooted issue that is synonymous with cricket tours and being away for a long time and press being on their back. What are you meant to do? Just sit in your hotel room for 24 hours a day and get more depressed? It is a real challenge when you're on a tour like this."

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Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc says he has not ruled out playing in the 2027 Ashes series in England.

Left-armer Starc, who has never been part of a side to win an Ashes in England, will be 37 by the time the 2027 series starts.

The 35-year-old retired from T20 internationals in September to focus on prolonging his Test and one-day careers.

"I'm not thinking two years down the track just yet," said Starc.

"Let's just think about Melbourne and then on to Sydney. But, yeah, it'd certainly be nice to win an Ashes series in England."

Australia last won an Ashes series in England in 2001. They lost in 2005, 2009, 2013 and 2015, before retaining the urn through drawn series in 2019 and 2023.

Starc is a strong contender to win player of the 2025-26 series, having played a crucial part in Australia going 3-0 up after three Tests to retain the urn.

He has taken 22 wickets - eight more than anyone else - at an average of 17.04, leading the Australia attack in the absence of captain Pat Cummins for the first two Tests and with fellow quick Josh Hazlewood out of the entire series through injury.

Starc has also scored 150 runs at an average of 50, including two half-centuries.

"I've certainly made decisions with my body in mind, with Tests always being a priority," he added.

"That's never changed for me."