Amid widespread reports of excessive drinking in the England camp and unverified footage of a seemingly drunk Ben Duckett, captain Ben Stokes has come out to defend his under-fire team-mates.
Meanwhile, star bowler Jofra Archer has officially withdrawn from the rest of the Ashes due to injury (with Gus Atkinson coming in for the fourth Test) and Ollie Pope has been replaced by Jacob Bethell for the Boxing Day clash in Melbourne.
Australia will be without Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon for the last two Tests, with Jhye Richardson and Todd Murphy called up in their place.
Stokes defends Duckett
England surrendered any hopes of reclaiming the Ashes with a disappointing loss in Adelaide, and director of cricket Rob Key has now announced an investigation into the tourists’ conduct – specifically their alcohol intake – on a pre-match Noosa trip.
“I am obviously aware of the reports and everything circulating around. My main concern right now is my players and how I handle this moment is the most important thing to me,” Stokes told reporters when asked about the unfolding drama.
“I have first-hand experience of how this can affect people and my role as England captain is to protect my players as much as I possibly can.
“Supporting them and letting them know that I will be there for them through thick and thin is very, very important, and Ben Duckett knows that.
“I’ve obviously reached out, spoken to him and offered my complete support throughout this. Particularly in a moment like this where everything feels like it’s on top of you.
“My job as England captain is obviously to be out there and get results for the team, but also to try to give people the best chance of being in a mental space where they can go out there and perform.”
Archer, Pope out
Archer has been ruled out of the dead-rubber Melbourne and Sydney Tests with a left-side strain – the latest setback in a career plagued by injuries.
Atkinson replaces him in the squad as Brendon McCullum’s side looks to restore some much-needed pride at the MCG.
The other personnel change sees Bethell take over from Pope at number three after the latter’s long-term struggles with the bat continued in Adelaide.
Pope averages 17 across 16 Ashes innings and faces a challenge to get back into the team.
READ MORE: England cricket news: Rob Key backs ‘right man’ Brendon McCullum after Ashes failure
Hosts lose Cummins
Australia captain Cummins will sit out the rest of the series in order to manage a back problem, with either Brendan Doggett or Michael Neser expected to feature in his place.
“We were taking on some risk [playing Cummins]. We’ve now won the series and that was the goal,” head coach Andrew McDonald explained to the media regarding Cummins’ omission.
“To jeopardise him long-term is not something we want to do and Pat is really comfortable with that.”
In addition, Lyon – who suffered a hamstring tear while fielding at the Adelaide Oval – has been sidelined following surgery, with Murphy stepping in as lead spinner.
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