Moeen admits tour culture must change

Moeen Ali believes the message that England’s off-the-field culture needs to change is getting through to his team-mates “slowly but surely”.

Moeen led his country for the first time in a drawn two-day tour match against a Cricket Australia XI, a low-profile fixture between Ashes Tests which was largely overshadowed by the latest controversy to rock England’s tour.

Ben Duckett, who was due to open in the match, faced a disciplinary hearing after pouring beer over Test star James Anderson in a Perth bar on Thursday night.

He is to remain with the England Lions tour of Australia but will play no further part in any remaining matches and has received a final written warning over his conduct.

The 23-year-old batsman also faces the maximum fine ‘allowable for an England Lions player’ to complete his punishment.

Duckett’s prank took place in the same bar where wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow delivered his benign ‘head-butt’ introduction to Australia opener Cameron Bancroft six weeks ago, and at a time when Ben Stokes is still off the tour waiting to hear if he will be charged for his part in a latenight fracas in Bristol.

Teetotal Moeen said: “Obviously it’s a shame these things happen ... maybe the culture needs to change now.

“We want cricket to grow for kids, and for families to come and watch, so we have to be on our best behaviour.

“It’s not always easy, and the guys are on tour for a long time and feel like they want to go out ... (but) we have to behave ourselves.”

He added: “The off-field behaviour needs to improve, and we all know that.

“We’re all grown men and should know how to behave.

“As cricketers and professionals, the scrutiny that is on us, we have to be careful and behave ourselves.

“I think it’s really important we inspire the younger generation to take up the game. (Otherwise), it could turn them away - and that’s not what we want.”

England and Wales Cricket Board director Andrew Strauss imposed – and then relaxed – a midnight curfew in response to Bairstow’s faux pas, and coach Trevor Bayliss is frustrated at the continued transgressions of some.

Asked if the message is getting through, Moeen said: “Yes ... slowly but surely.”

Moeen Ali leads his team off the field after the draw with Cricket Australia XI in Perth.