• Fun police end post-Ashes drinking session

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    Police were called to the England team hotel in Hobart to break up an early morning drinking session that included Australian players.

    In a video obtained by the Sydney Morning Herald, players from both teams were filmed being asked to go to bed around 6am the morning after the night before, when the fifth Ashes Test ended.

    England captain Joe Root and fast bowler Jimmy Anderson as well as Australians Nathan Lyon, Travis Head and Alex Carey (still in their whites from the game) appear in the footage.

    The video appears to have been filmed by England assistant Graham Thorpe, who can be heard on the audio but not seen.

    “We’ve got Nathan Lyon, Root, there’s Carey and Anderson,” Thorpe said. “I’ll just video this for the lawyers. See you in the morning everyone.”

    His comments came after a woman from the hotel said: “You’re too loud and have obviously been asked to pack up. We have been asked to come. It’s time for bed.”

    In a statement, Tasmania Police said officers were called after a complaint regarding “intoxicated” individuals.

    “Tasmania Police attended the Crowne Plaza Hobart on Monday morning after reports were made of intoxicated people in a function area,” the statement read. “The guests were spoken to by police, just after 6am, and left the area when asked.

    “No further action will be taken by police.”

    In a statement, an ECB spokesperson said: “During the early hours of Monday morning, members of the England and Australia men’s teams shared a drink in the team areas of the hotel in Hobart.

    “The hotel management received a noise complaint by a hotel guest, and as is commonplace in Australia, the local police attended the scene.

    “When asked to leave by hotel management and the Tasmanian police, the players and management in question left and returned to their respective hotel rooms. The England party have apologised for any inconvenience caused.

    “The ECB will investigate further. Until such times, we will make no further comment.”

    Cricket Australia declined to comment.

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    Simon Borchardt