Ashes 2025-26: ‘There isn’t a drinking culture’ – Stuart Broad defends England’s off-field scrutiny

England lost the series in just 11 days of cricket following below par performances in the first three Tests at Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide. The defeat drew criticism over their limited preparation and aggressive cricket, which was further scrutinised after the team took a mid-series beach break in Noosa, where players were photographed drinking.

During the series, a video circulated on social media that appeared to show opener Ben Duckett intoxicated and slurring his words while being questioned by a small group about how to get back to his hotel. The clip sparked widespread discussion and criticism online.

Former England cricketer Stuart Broad later addressed the issue, stating that only a couple of individuals had made mistakes that ended up becoming trending topics, rather than it being a reflection of the entire squad’s behaviour.

“They’ve just had a couple of guys who have made mistakes and that’s got into the media. I think it’s up to your team-mates to get you out of those situations, and that’s when your culture’s really strong. Ben Duckett isn’t left alone, no idea where his hotel is. Harry Brook doesn’t get himself in a situation with a bouncer, because they’re not allowed anywhere near that situation,” said Broad on the For the Love of Cricket Podcast.

“So I think that’s the thing that will disappoint [head coach] Brendon McCullum. I really didn’t like having a 12 o’clock curfew, because I just didn’t feel like you should need it. As long as you have people around you to get yourself home at a suitable hour, having the team-mates around you to go, your time’s up,” he added.

Broad also emphasised that the England team does not have a drinking culture. He pointed out that players such as Zak Crawley, Ben Stokes, and Joe Root have not been drinking in recent times, adding that it would be unfair to label the entire squad as party-goers based on the actions of a few individuals.

“I look at this England team, they’re not drinking. I’ve seen loads of things about a drinking culture and we got that in 2021-22 when we left Australia. Crawley, Pope, and in recent times Stokes and Root – they’re not really drinkers, are they? They’re not party animals and going out tearing it to shreds. There isn’t a drinking culture. I’ll hang my hat on that, if I’m honest, knowing the boys as well as I do. But it is just making sure the boys don’t get in trouble when situations arise,” said Broad.

England began their white-ball tour of New Zealand in October before multi-format players headed straight into the Ashes, which ran from November 23 to January 7. Following the Ashes, England are set to tour Sri Lanka from January 22, where they will play both One-Day Internationals and T20 Internationals ahead of the T20 World Cup, which begins on February 8.

“As an international player, you need some sort of release. If you don’t have that mental switch off – I know you [fellow podcast host Jos Buttler] say footballers don’t – but cricketers are away six months of the year in hotels, it drives you mad if you don’t do anything,” said Broad.

“We’ve seen Australia winning the Ashes, Travis Head’s had the time of his life, living the dream, doing interviews on the wines and all sorts. Twelve o’clock, you’re not really getting to that time that often, but if you win, you deserve to probably go and relax and enjoy yourself,” he added.