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Ben Stokes reacts to English squad's Noosa backlash
SEN • December 24th, 2025 4:30 pm
The England Cricket Board is currently investigating claims of the English team’s drinking culture after a video of Ben Duckett went viral appearing to show intoxication.
This came after it was revealed that England’s mid-tour break in Noosa between the second and third Ashes Test was allegedly a stag do, causing excessive drinking by some players.
English Test captain Ben Stokes has responded to the viral social media post and stag do rumours, defending his team’s wellbeing.
See Stokes’ response below:
“My main concern right now is my players,” Stokes told Fox Sports.
“The welfare of everyone in there and probably some certain individuals as well is the most important thing to me right now as England captain.
“I don't know if (I have) the right wording, but (it is) something that I have first-hand experience of how it can affect people.
“As I said, my role as England captain is to protect my players as much as I possibly can.
“We have a goal still to try and achieve out here on this trip. It's not gone anywhere near to plan whatsoever, but we've still got two games of cricket to play.
“Right here, right now, my main job as England captain is to ensure that (the players) know that they have my backing.
"Because the most important thing to me sitting here right now is a group of players who I can get into the best possible state to go out there and try and perform for this country.”
SEN’s Dwayne Russell reacted to the England captain’s “emotional” statement, believing that there may be a response from England off the back of Stokes’ support.
“Ben Stokes pretty emotional there,” Russell said on SEN’s Dwayne’s World.
“They have been kicked around a bit, so maybe there'll be a response at the MCG for the Boxing Day test.”
