AUSTRALIA cricket legend Darren Lehmann has defended England stars after reports of them having a ‘stag do’ while on a break between tests.
England director of Rob Key confirmed on Tuesday that there would be an investigation into the allegations of excessive drinking in the squad during their time off.
Darren Lehmann has come to the defence of England’s under-fire cricket starsCredit: PA
An investigation has begun into the team’s conduct while on a break in resort town NoosaCredit: X
The controversy stems from the team’s four-day break in the glamorous Aussie seaside resort town of Noosa, at which point they were already 2-0 down to Australia in their Series.
Outlets on scene , with one reporter saying that for some on the getaway it was “a glorified stag do.”
But an unexpected name has come to their defence in former international player and coach Lehmann.
He revealed that he was in Noosa at the same time as ‘ boys and got a very different impression of their conduct.
He said on Australia’s ABC Sport: “I was in Noosa, this bugs me a bit mate to be honest.
“I am all for getting stuck in to , they haven’t played well enough, and their preparation in terms of the first game of the series, they should have played and Australia A team at the WACA, they should have gone to Canberra and done that and they didn’t, I get all that.
“But I was in Noosa, I caught up with them for a coffee, they were out walking, they were on a break, they were actually really well behaved.”
England’s stars were photographed enjoying drinks at Rococo Bistro on Hastings Street, the main drag in Noosa.
They also got up to some harmless fun with the locals, with who brought signs to sledge the team on their days off.
Lehmann continued: “They mixed with the locals, they had a good time yes. The reports of them on a stag do are just wrong, I will defend them here.
Ben Stokes took time to pose with radio hosts on the beachCredit: Instagram @927mixfm
“Really well behaved, polite to the people of Noosa, played , swam on the beach, played soccer with the locals. They were very well behaved and well liked by the locals.
“That’s just out of order, they are running a campaign against them almost, and now Rob Key is doing a stag do review or whatever you want to call it.
“Well I didn’t see that, I saw people just relaxing, enjoying Noosa for what it is.”
The England squad have been as well as off it.
Though the third test in Adelaide was not quite as embarrassing as the opening two, England still lost out,
It took a for the Ashes to slip out of England’s reach, with the lads now fighting only to avoid a clean sweep.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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