Matt Prior calls for ‘drinking culture’ conversation in English cricket

The Telegraph broke the story about Brook, external shortly after England lost the final Test in Sydney by five wickets.

Prior said it was “kind of ridiculous” that England players would go out the night before a game.

“If that was an England footballer, there would be hell to pay,” he said.

“There just would be. There’s just no doubt about it.”

The ECB had earlier released a statement from chief executive Richard Gould, in which he said a review of the tour, including the behaviour of the players, would be taking place.

Coach Brendon McCullum had removed the England players’ midnight curfew, which had been in place since the 2017-18 tour of Australia.

That curfew came into force after England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow was accused of headbutting Australia batter Cameron Bancroft in a Perth bar.

“It’s not just a Harry Brook thing, it’s a culture thing. For me it’s about what is the expectation on those players in that dressing room? What is it to be an England cricketer?” Prior said.

“In our dressing room we wanted to humanise the team, be the hardest-working cricket team in the world, be highly skilled, but also be human.

“This current England group, whether it be white ball or red ball, what is their culture?

“What does it mean to play cricket for England?”