Stokes dodges Noosa booze row

Skipper says England in a 'tough place' now

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England captain Ben Stokes bats in the nets during a training session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

(AFP)

Captain Ben Stokes said protecting England players' welfare was his top concern yesterday amid claims of excessive drinking on a mid-Ashes beach break, without directly addressing the allegations.

Stokes was peppered with questions ahead of the fourth Test in Melbourne about the team's behaviour at Noosa between the second and third Tests after British media reports compared it to a “stag-do”.

Unverified social media footage appeared to show opener Ben Duckett drunk and disoriented.

Their disastrous tour took another hit yesterday when pace spearhead Jofra Archer was ruled out of the rest of the series with a side strain.

England cricket chief Rob Key on Tuesday pledged to investigate the drinking claims, while the England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement it was intent on establishing the facts.