England’s cricket board is investigating an alleged physical altercation between Jonny Bairstow and Cameron Bancroft that occurred in a Perth bar earlier this month.
Bairstow and Bancroft crossed paths shortly after England arrived in Australia, where they started their tour with a tune-up at the WACA.
Bancroft didn’t play in that game but was at home prior to flying out for a Sheffield Shield match in Sydney.
It’s understood the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is currently trying to find out more facts about the alcohol-fuelled incident that entered the public domain on Sunday, when it was used as sledging fodder on day four of the Ashes opener.
The ECB has been approached for comment.
There are differing versions of what unfolded. Fox Sports Australia is reporting Bairstow headbutted Bancroft, while other versions suggest it was more low key and a case of tomfoolery gone awry.
Cricket Australia (CA) refused to comment.
AAP understands Bancroft has discussed the matter with team management, who are satisfied he did no wrong in the scrap.
Even if the incident is minor it is a bad look for the tourists, who are currently missing Ben Stokes because of the allrounder’s brawl outside a Bristol nightclub that left another man hospitalised with facial injuries.
England coach Trevor Bayliss flagged the prospect of an Ashes curfew following the Stokes fracas but decided to give his players free rein, trusting them to enjoy themselves in a sensible manner.
“There are no set curfews, they are just sensible rulings,” Bayliss said earlier this month.
“Not drinking between matches is just sensible. We certainly don’t want to keep players in their rooms because it is a long tour.
“You have to get out and experience what the country you’re touring has to offer.
“It’s about picking the right time to have a couple of drinks, but knowing to stay away from it if you’re preparing for a match.”
The alleged clash between Bairstow and Bancroft comes four years after a bar-room scrap between David Warner and Joe Root preceded an Ashes series in England.
Warner was effectively suspended for two Tests after he clipped Root’s chin in a nightclub.
Australia’s vice-captain claimed he was angered by Root’s impersonation of Hashim Amla.
CA warned Warner at the time he was on his last chance.
Mike
Guest
Root, Bayliss and the tourists in general seem to be relying on the fact it was nothing and blaming the aussies for bad sportsmanship in bringing it up. When Warner gave Root a little tap the England team were extremely quick to condemn him and brand his behaviour disgraceful. It was really, but the ACB should have been the ones to deal with it without Root etc weighing in. Regardless of the intent, he has connected without warning and provocation to another persons head. Would you be happy someone saying hello to your some or daughter in that way? I don't think so. I find it absurd that the whole England camp think its "nothing" and they are extremely fortunate that the aussies are taking it lightly. Bairstow should be thankful the rightful sledging in the test itself is the worst of his punishment.
JohnB
Guest
I've never heard any comment from him on it and I can't recall it being suggested he was even there. There were claims at the time that Warner took exception to what he took to be Root mocking Amla by wearing a fright wig as a beard. I think Root immediately denied that, and the fact that the claims seemed to stop suggested to me people involved weren't making or backing the claims.
jameswm
Roar Guru
The bigger story is the Pommie players going out on the turps within hours of touching down, and putting themselves in those positions.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Handscomb had a big grin on his face and was walking away. Bairstow didn't and was following him.
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
I haven't even heard Hashim Amla's two cents on that?
jameswm
Roar Guru
Who are the convicts again? Clearly a drinking culture in the English team. It's a question of whether you are a sportsman or an athlete. They must have been out on the turps within 1-2 days of touching down.
JohnB
Guest
We are still hearing about Warner and Root mind you. I hadn't heard the Hashim Amla explanation for that for a while which had made me assume it was a complete furphy.
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
Agreed. Let the boy play, no one got hurt.
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
There was a lot of talk going wasn't there.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Yeah that was an impressive review. Not sure if Smith thought he heard something too.
Fadida
Guest
I read it as no drinking between tests but during is ok! Would explain the last 2 days.....
Jameswm
Guest
Professional athletes don't drink during a series. They're sportsmen, not athletes. Except for some of the bowlers.
qwetzen
Guest
These stories of off-field poor player behaviour by players are all a scam by journos. It gives them a justification to hang out in bars. "I was following a story!".
Jameswm
Guest
Don't blame the journalists. The Aussie players brought it up.
Jumbo
Guest
Agreed!
Mike
Guest
Yes instead of this crap how about a story on the GREAT selection of Tim Paine, great stumping, and what excellent call for the caught behind....
ozinsa
Guest
No criticism of you Rob for simply writing this up but I hate this sort of crap. Somebody has held back the timing of the release of this "story" for maximum impact. If this is the sort of garbage people really want to read during a high quality test match then heaven help us all. Bancroft apparently accepted Bairstow's apology. Presumably there were no serious injuries and based on what I've read in the past week on Bancroft and what he's shown in this test, he'd have been more than capable of dealing with this if it had gotten ugly. Non-story that will clog the airwaves for days when cricket could have been the focus.
ColinP
Guest
Things make a bit more sense now....at one point I thought bairstow was going to head butt handscombe
Jarijari
Roar Rookie
"It’s about picking the right time to have a couple of drinks". You can head out with your mates. Just look out for the enemy.
BennO
Guest
No drinking between matches... How often do professional athletes have a few beers at the pub? It sounds like they hardly ever get to have a drink (and when they do they might go the biff).