England defend mid-Ashes beach break but will look into reports claiming excessive drinking

• Team director Rob Key has ‘no issue’ with Noosa trip after second Test

• But tourists will investigate claims some players spent six days drinking

Rob Key has defended England’s mid-tour break in Noosa but confirmed he will look into reports that excessive drinking by players in between the second and third Ashes Tests turned it into a “glorified stag do”.

Sitting 3-0 to Australia, the Ashes having gone, team director Key has followed head coach Brendon McCullum in stating that his future now rests in the hands of senior figures at the England and Wales Cricket Board.