McCullum slams 'out of order' criticism

CRICKET Brendon McCullum has dismissed criticism of England's behaviour as "out of order", hit out at the perception that he runs a "loose ship" and launched a staunch defence of Harry Brook.

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News emerged at the end of the 4-1 Ashes defeat where England faced accusations of a "drinking culture" - that white-ball captain Brook had been involved in an altercation with a nightclub bouncer on the preceding tour of New Zealand.

Brook began the tour of Sri Lanka by apologising and insisted that he was out alone, but then had to release a statement to admit that was not true after reports that Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue were also fined.

The Brook incident has dominated their trip to Sri Lanka and there has been fierce criticism of the captain and the management for attempting to cover up all players involved.