The hangover from England’s disastrous 4-1 Ashes defeat is officially real, and the England and Wales Cricket Board isn't serving painkillers; they’re handing out strict rules. In a move that screams "enough is enough," the ECB has imposed a midnight curfew on Harry Brook’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup and the tour of Sri Lanka.
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The ECB took the decision, which comes after a chaotic winter down under that was less about cricket and more about controversy. The "Ashes debacle" wasn't just about losing wickets; it was fueled by allegations of a toxic "drinking culture" spiralling out of control. Reports emerged of a wild mid-series break in Noosa, where players were accused of treating the tour like a stag do.
Social media added fuel to the fire with viral videos of opener Ben Duckett looking lost and stumbling outside a pub. Then there was the bizarre tale of Brydon Carse, who reportedly had thousands of dollars fly out of his pocket, only to be helped by a stranger. To top it all off, news broke that white-ball captain Harry Brook had been punched by a bouncer in New Zealand before the series even started, a scrape that cost him a £30,000 fine.
Despite the media frenzy, team members and legends tried to clear the air. Former pacer Stuart Broad passionately defended the boys, insisting, "They are not party animals." He claimed the "drinking culture" narrative was blown out of proportion and that key players like Ben Stokes and Joe Root are actually quite tame.
But the ECB isn’t taking chances. Head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Brook have been told in no uncertain terms: be back at the hotel by 12 AM. No exceptions. As England looks to reset for the World Cup, the message from the ECB is clear: leave the drama at the door and focus on the game.
