England’s troubled Ashes tour in Australia has taken a fresh off-field twist as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed it is investigating a viral “Ben Duckett drunk video” allegedly filmed during the team’s mid-series break in Noosa.
The clip, widely shared on X, appears to show the England opener intoxicated and struggling to remember the way back to his team hotel after the second Test defeat in Brisbane.
What the viral Ben Duckett drunk video shows
In the 70–80 second clip circulating on social media, a man identified as Ben Duckett is seen slurring his speech while talking to a small group outside what appears to be a pub in Noosa. When a woman asks if he knows how to get home, he replies “No,” appearing confused and disoriented as others try to guide him. The video also captures Duckett using expletives and saying “I’ll order an Uber on your phone” as he asks for help getting back.
The footage is reported to have been filmed during England’s four-day stay in the Sunshine Coast resort town between the second and third Ashes Tests, a trip that was originally billed as a chance for players to “refresh and unwind” after going 2-0 down. Its emergence has intensified scrutiny of the squad’s off-field behaviour amid an already “nightmare” Ashes campaign.
ECB’s official response and ongoing investigation
The ECB issued a brief statement saying it is “aware of content circulating on social media” and is now “establishing the facts” around the Ben Duckett drunk video and broader reports of drinking during the Noosa break. The board reiterated that it has “high expectations” of player behaviour, acknowledged the intense public scrutiny cricketers face, and said it would not comment further until the investigation is complete.
Rob Key, managing director of England men’s cricket, had already said earlier in the day that he would examine claims that the Noosa trip resembled a “stag do” with excessive alcohol consumption. “If there are things where people are saying that our players went out and drank excessively, then of course we’ll be looking into that,” Key told reporters, adding that heavy drinking during a major Test tour was not acceptable.
Noosa trip, Ashes failure and player pressure
The England camp travelled to Noosa for a four-night stay after their eight-wicket defeat in Brisbane, with head coach Brendon McCullum reportedly planning the break well in advance to help players reset mentally during the long tour. However, Australian media and fans closely followed the squad, with reports of players seen drinking on the high street and accusations that the break was poorly timed given the team’s on-field struggles.
England have already surrendered the Ashes, trailing 3-0 with the urn lost in just 11 days of play, turning the Noosa controversy into another flashpoint in a disastrous series. Former coaches and pundits have questioned whether discipline and preparation standards have slipped, while others argue that players are entitled to downtime and that such clips can lack full context.
Why the Ben Duckett drunk video matters now
For fans and the ECB, the Ben Duckett drunk video raises three key concerns:
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Image of the England team at a time of heavy defeat and intense media criticism.
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Player welfare and alcohol use under pressure during long overseas tours.
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Dressing-room culture and whether off-field habits are undermining performance.
Cricket analysts suggest this investigation could shape future tour protocols, including stricter monitoring of team breaks, clearer alcohol policies, and stronger support systems for players coping with stress.
As the ECB gathers evidence around the Ben Duckett drunk video and the Noosa allegations, the episode has already become a defining off-field story of the 2025–26 Ashes – one that England can ill afford after another failed bid to win the urn in Australia.
