JOE ROOT’S orders were defied by Ben Duckett and other England players on the night that heaped more embarrassment on the Ashes tour.
Captain Root and head coach Trevor Bayliss told the squad they were prepared to lift their curfew for one evening — but under no circumstances must players misbehave or attract attention.
Just hours later, ten members of the Ashes squad were in a crowded bar in Perth and Duckett threw a drink over Test vice-captain James Anderson.
The incident, in the early hours of last Friday, has increased belief among England’s management that a group of hard-drinking players do not understand the responsibilities that come with representing their country.
Two players could be facing the end of their England careers after the Ashes series because they continue to ignore instructions about their conduct.
One senior source said: “They just don’t get it. They are earning good money playing for England but seem to believe they are doing nothing wrong.
“Do they really think that is how elite sportsmen should behave?”
It means the like of Lions batsmen Dan Lawrence, Liam Livingstone and Joe Clarke will be in contention for the two-Test tour of New Zealand early next year.
DUCKED OUT Ben Duckett banned from England Lions Australia tour and given final written warning after bar incident
A small nucleus of England players have been known to booze almost to the point of oblivion when allowed off the leash.
There are suggestions they sometimes hide or argue with team security staff when advised to return to the hotel.
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Incredibly, the Duckett incident occurred at the same Avenue bar where Jonny Bairstow greeted Aussie batsman Cameron Bancroft with a bizarre headbutt on the opening night of the tour.
Around ten members of the Ashes squad went to the bar after a team quiz and linked up with players from England Lions, including Duckett.
Root stayed at the team apartments with his partner Carrie and their baby son. Others who stayed home included former captain Alastair Cook, bowler Jake Ball, all-rounder Moeen Ali and reserve wicketkeeper Ben Foakes.
Root and Bayliss are becoming increasingly angry at the way off-field episodes are adding pressure to their beleaguered team that is already 2-0 down in the series.
Many of the problems can be traced back to the Ben Stokes incident. That infamous night in Bristol has cast a shadow over the whole tour.
But Aussie coach Darren Lehmann insists he is not revelling in England’s discomfort.
He said: “I’ve been through all that so, no, I didn’t have a chuckle. You have those situations at various stages throughout your career.
“It’s a case of making sure you’re trying the best you can to get your side prepared.”
Meanwhile, England drew their two-day game against a Cricket Australia XI. A couple of declarations saw the hosts require 294 to win and they finished with 269-8.
Fast bowler Mark Wood, who has been with the Lions, will stay with the senior squad for the rest of the tour and could be a contender in the final two Tests.
Wicketkeeper Bairstow is set to be promoted one place to No 6 for Thursday’s Third Test, with Moeen dropping to No 7.
Stokes was run out for a one-ball duck in Canterbury’s 43-run defeat to Northern Districts. His ten overs cost 56 runs.
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