ECB initiates investigation after Root and Anderson’s intoxication complaint at Hobart’s Hotel

A mobile phone video has been published which shows Joe Root, James Anderson, Nathan Lyon, Travis Head, and Alex Carey, all gathering outside the Hobart Hotel. The players were sent away by policemen after many guests complained of noise outside the hotel. Graham Thorpe filmed them while the police were instructing the men to go to their hotel rooms. It appears the players were intoxicated, and it has tarnished the reputation of England further after their loss in the Ashes series. It is also pointed out that a drinking issue among the players has contributed to their poor performance.

According to ESPNcricinfo, a police statement was released which says, “Reports of drunken people in a function area prompted Tasmania Police to attend the Crowne Plaza Hobart on Monday morning. Police met with the visitors just after 6:00 a.m., and they departed the area when requested. Police will not take any further action.”

The ECB has decided to launch an investigation into this incident. Members of the England and Australia men’s teams had a drink in the team quarters of the hotel in Hobart early Monday morning. The hotel management received a noise complaint from a hotel guest, and the local police were dispatched, as is customary in Australia. The players and management in question exited and returned to their individual hotel rooms after being ordered to leave by hotel management and Tasmanian police. The English party has expressed regret for whatever trouble this has caused. The ECB will look into it further. We won’t say anything else until that moment comes”, according to an ECB statement.