‘England’s booze issues no joke’
Australia coach Darren Lehmann says he doesn’t relish England’s alcoholfuelled misfortunes
PERTH: Australia coach Darren Lehmann says England’s latest alcohol-fuelled indiscretion is no laughing matter and his team are not relishing the tourists’ misfortunes. England were rocked this weekend by a third alcohol-related incident in three months after England Lions batsman Ben Duckett was suspended from a two-day tour match for pouring a drink on the head of senior England player James Anderson following a heated argument.
The Duckett incident follows Ben Stokes’ involvement in a brawl outside a Bristol nightclub in September and Jonny Bairstow’s headbutt greeting for Australia Test opener Cameron Bancroft in Perth in late October.
England coach Trevor Bayliss described Duckett’s incident as “trivial” but “not acceptable”, and Lehmann said he did not see the funny side of his rivals self-destructing. “I’ve been through all that, so no, I don’t have a chuckle at that,” Lehmann told reporters on Sunday.
“You have those situations at various stages throughout your career. It’s not funny,” he added.
“It’s a case of actually making sure you’re trying the best you can to get your side prepared. For me, I don’t have a chuckle at any of that.”
Lehmann said he has complete faith in his players. “I trust them, obviously,” he said. “They’ve just had a couple of days off, so they’re all in today, and I’m sure they’ll do well.”
Bayliss said Duckett has been suspended by team management while a disciplinary investigation led by Lions coach Andy Flower takes place.
MOEEN URGES BETTER OFF-FIELD BEHAVIOUR
England’s cricketers must take responsibility for their actions and improve their off-field behaviour or risk turning a younger generation of players away from the game, Moeen Ali said.
“As professionals - with the young kids watching and hearing all the news, it’s very important we are on our best behaviour,” Moeen, who does not drink, said.
“It’s important we inspire the younger generation to take up the game. A lot of the families are here now, it’s important we focus on the game.”