The ECB has launched an investigation into an all-night drinking session involving Joe Root and James Anderson and a video that has an assistant coach’s position in doubt.
England veterans Root and Anderson, and three Australian players, reportedly had their Ashes party shut down after police were called to a hotel in Hobart.
In a video allegedly taken by England assistant Graham Thorpe — which has gone viral on social media — Root, along with Alex Carey, Travis Head and Nathan Lyon can be seen being confronted by at least four police officers and told to move on.
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Despite a noise complaint supposedly the reason for the move-on orders, the Daily Mail now reports police were called to the establishment due to Thorpe smoking indoors.
Thorpe’s position as England assistant coach is in serious doubt now, with players reportedly in “disbelief” over his decision to film the incident.
On top of the Hobart debacle, the Daily Mail report adds: “It is understood his coaching methods have not been well received by the batsmen on this tour.”
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The England and Wales Cricket Board on Tuesday confirmed it was investigating the incident.
“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 ECB statement said.
“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.”
In the video, the group are asked to stop drinking and move inside from the rooftop terrace.
A clock tower in the background reads 6.30am suggesting the cricketers had stayed up through the night to celebrate the end of the men’s Ashes series on Sunday.
One 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 Daily Telegraph understands that a noise complaint, as the group played music from the balcony, was made to the team hotel.
The publication reports that the complaint related to the music volume, and that there was no issue relating to the group’s behaviour, while police were called before hotel management was notified.
According to a spokesperson from Tasmania Police, officers had removed players from a bar at the Crowne Plaza Hotel after noise complaints.
“Tasmania Police attended the Crowne Plaza Hobart on Monday morning after reports were made of intoxicated people in a function area,” the spokesperson told The Daily Telegraph.
“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.”
The players hadn’t got back to the team hotel until about 1.30am Monday morning, while the hotel’s website says the bar is open between 10.30am and 11pm..
Later in the day, the Australian cricket team were filmed continuing celebrations in Hobart’s Salamanca Market district.
Usman Khawaja posted a video on social media with Lyon leading the charge while mingling among cricket fans.
The video clips end with Lyon standing up while holding the Ashes trophy and singing “We are the Champions” to a raucous crowd.
Steve Smith also posted a video from, the celebrations as the Australian players sung Sweet Caroline with the Barmy Army.
This news is republished from another source. You can check the original article here