England coach facing the sack over leaked video of drinking session
Graham Thorpe could be the first casualty of England's abysmal Ashes tour of Australia, with the assistant coach under investigation over a video showing players being asked to leave a Hobart hotel at 6am.
The England and Wales Cricket Board has said it will investigate after police were called to break up a drinking session between Australian and English players in the early hours of Monday morning.
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Video emerged on social media on Tuesday showing England captain Joe Root, veteran bowler James Anderson, as well as Aussie players Nathan Lyon, Alex Carey and Travis Head sitting quietly at a table filled with beer bottles.
Rival players and staff enjoyed a get together in the aftermath of Australia's 4-0 series win in Hobart late on Sunday night, however their socialising proved too rowdy for a fellow guest at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Tasmania Police were called and sent four officers to bring an end to the boozy gathering, which had spilled out on to an open air terrace.
One of the police officers can be heard saying "you're too loud, you've obviously been asked to pack up" and "time for bed".
A clock in the background of the footage shows the time to be 6.30am.
Graham Thorpe 'facing the sack' over leaked video
In an explosive twist, England's assistant coach Thorpe is reportedly facing the sack for filming the video and distributing it.
"It is understood that Thorpe filmed the incident and sent it on to friends," reports Nick Hoult of The Telegraph.
"It was then circulated more widely and ended up in the hands of the Australia media.
"English cricket authorities are understood to be more angered by the fact the incident was filmed and then somehow entered the public domain, rather than the fact that players were drinking."
English cricket writer Chris Stocks tweeted: “Okay so this is pretty embarrassing. Yes, doesn’t look like much harm was done but how the hell does this footage end up in the public domain given it was seemingly filmed by England’s assistant coach?”
Will Macpherson of the Evening Standard wrote: “Shambolic end to a shambolic tour for England. There’s no issue whatsoever with players staying up all night drinking with opposition after a tough series, or even receiving a noise complaint. Absolutely amateurish for footage of it to end up in the public domain.”
An ECB spokesperson said on Tuesday: "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."
Tasmania Police also released a statement, saying they would take no further action.
The incident is likely to form part of a tour review by Ashley Giles, the managing director of men's cricket in England.
with agencies
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