As of now, there is no confirmation that Ben Duckett will be suspended from the England team following reports of excessive drinking during England’s mid-tour break in Noosa ahead of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide.
The speculation emerged after a video of Duckett appearing intoxicated circulated on social media, raising questions about England players’ conduct during the break. The issue prompted scrutiny, especially given England’s history of maintaining strict off-field discipline during overseas tours.
However, England team director Rob Key has made it clear that no action has been taken yet and that the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is still investigating the claims. Key said the board would examine the situation thoroughly but stressed that the information available to him so far does not support claims of excessive drinking.
According to Key, what he has been told indicates that players had meals together, did not stay out late, and only had the odd drink, which he said was acceptable. He also clarified that additional security measures have been put in place and that the ECB has ways of verifying exactly what happened during the break.
Ben Duckett showing how much he cares about the ashes. Elite sportsman midway through the ashes, unable to speak because he’s that drunk. Drop him #Ashes pic.twitter.com/KUcGxmCYa6
— Sam (@S_Ro8ins0n) December 23, 2025
Importantly, Key drew a clear line between moderate social drinking and unacceptable behaviour, stating that a “stag-do style” culture or heavy drinking would not be tolerated in an international setup. At the same time, he defended the idea of mid-series breaks, highlighting the intense international schedule and the need for players to mentally reset.
While Duckett does have a previous disciplinary record—having been dropped from the England Lions tour in 2017–18 after an alcohol-related incident—Key did not indicate that this past issue would automatically influence any current decision.
At this stage, Duckett remains part of the England setup, and any disciplinary action would depend on the findings of the ECB’s internal review. Until an official statement is released, suspension appears unlikely, unless evidence emerges that contradicts the version of events shared by team management.
For now, the matter remains under review, with no immediate sanctions announced.
