The ECB have launched an investigation into how a video of players being asked to leave a hotel bar at 6am following their Hobart Test defeat was leaked to the public.
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The video shows local police asking a group of players from both England and Australia to leave an outdoor hotel bar. The players visible in the footage are England Test captain Joe Root, James Anderson, Alex Carey, Nathan Lyon and Player of the Series Travis Head. A number of the group are still in their Test whites.
The ECB are reportedly not overly concerned by the behaviour of the players in the footage. In the video, a Tasmania Police officer can be heard saying: “Too loud. You have obviously been asked to pack up, so we’ve been asked to come. Time for bed. Thank you. They just want to pack up.”
The subject of the ECB’s ire is understood to be assistant coach Graham Thorpe who appears to be the individual recording the video. The person recording the video can be heard narrating the scene, saying: “We’ve got Nathan Lyon, Joe Root, Alex Carey, Jimmy Anderson. Just video this, just for the lawyers… say good morning, everyone.” The footage was first obtained by the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
A statement from local authorities said: “Tasmania Police attended the Crowne Plaza Hobart on Monday morning after reports were made of intoxicated people in a function area. The guests were spoken to by police just after 6:00am and left the area when asked. No further action will be taken by police.”
Commenting on the incident, an ECB spokesperson said: “During the early hours of Monday morning, members of the England and Australia men’s teams shared a drink in the team areas of the hotel in Hobart.
The first and last time #Hobart will host an #Ashes test… ‘Bit too loud’ .. Awesome pic.twitter.com/zdZ4dmcsf6
— Matt de Groot (@mattdegroot_) January 18, 2022
“The hotel management received a noise complaint by a hotel guest and, as is commonplace in Australia, the local police attended the scene.
“When asked to leave by hotel management and the Tasmanian police, the players and management in question left and returned to their respective hotel rooms. The England party have apologised for any inconvenience caused.
“The ECB will investigate further. Until such times, we will make no further comment.”
The story comes at a frustrating time for the ECB, following not only yet another away Ashes drubbing but a day after reports emerged of rifts within in the England camp and a sub-optimal drinking culture among the group.
