‘An Uber to the nets’: England board to probe video apparently showing disoriented Test star

2 hours ago 2

The England and Wales Cricket Board are looking into the circumstances surrounding a video appearing to show Test opener Ben Duckett that was circulating on social media on Tuesday night.

The 78-second video was shared just hours after team director Rob Key said he would investigate claims players drank excessively during the Ashes squad’s mid-tour break in Noosa.

The video has not been verified by this masthead but the ECB has said in a statement, which did not reference any players, that it was aware of its circulation on social media but would not comment further “while we establish the facts”.

The footage appears to have been taken between the second and third Tests and includes a reference from an England supporter, who calls himself “Sam”, that the visitors are down 2-0.

The video shows a man, identified by others in the clip as Duckett, appearing disoriented, confused and slurring his words, unable to find his way home.

The video starts with Sam offering to order the disoriented man a “f---ing Uber on your phone”.

A woman then asks the man if he wants her to ask security to speak to his friends, before checking if he knows where he is staying and if he knows the directions home. The man replies no.

He then engages in friendly banter with Sam, calling him a “prick” after Sam offered to order “an Uber to the nets” and that “it’s probably for the best” as “we’re losing 2-0″.

After being identified by Sam, the man tells him “I don’t think people know me”.

“I know you, brother,” Sam says.

The ECB released a statement late on Tuesday night.

“We are aware of content circulating on social media,” an ECB spokesperson said.

“We have high expectations for behaviour, accepting that players are often under intense levels of scrutiny, with established processes that we follow when conduct falls below expectations. We also support players that need assistance.

“We will not comment further at this stage while we establish the facts.”

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