ENGLAND CHIEF'S WARNING

ENGLAND managing director Rob Key has warned players must be “smart” and “not get caught doing stupid things” on the upcoming Ashes tour.

- BY JOSH PECK

Ben Stokes' 16-strong squad head to Australia in November with hopes of reclaiming the urn for the first time since 2015.

The spotlight will be firmly on the visiting players and coaching staff and, having been part of the Ashes tour in 2002-03, former England batter Key knows first hand just how intense the glare is likely to be.

"They have got to be smart, right?" Key, below, said. "I hope they are all listening to this, the players, because it saves me sending a WhatsApp or an email and telling them, 'You have got to be smart', because when they get there they are not going to be anonymous."

Recent Ashes tours have included flashpoint moments, including Jonny Bairstow butting Cameron Bancroft in a bar in 2017, plus police being called to a drinking session involving England's players and coaching staff at the end of the 2021/22 series.