Ben Stokes admitted he is going through his "toughest time" as England captain as he called for "empathy" towards this team-mates. The tourists' awful Ashes series has been dogged by reports of excessive drinking. Later on the same day, a video emerged on social media appearing to show opener Ben Duckett drunk. The BBC has not verified the video, while the England and Wales Cricket Board said it would "establish the facts". With England preparing to play the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Boxing Day, Stokes told BBC Sport: "This is probably the toughest time right now as an England captain that I'll have.

Source: BBC December 24, 2025 13:11 UTC