England’s embattled start to their Ashes defence was rocked by another setback when, before defeat in the first Test was wrapped up on Monday, reports surfaced in Australia that the wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow was involved in an alleged incident in a bar at the start of the tour.
The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed that it is looking into a claim by Fox Sports News that the wicketkeeper “headbutted” Cameron Bancroft, the Australia opening batsman, during a night out in Perth four weeks ago, where the team’s first warm‑up match of the tour was played.
According to the report, members of the Test squad bumped into players from the Western Australia state team at the Avenue bar during a night out and at some point Bairstow’s head clashed with that of Bancroft on the side. Nothing further resulted and an apology is reported to have been made, with neither police nor the venue’s security staff involved.
The seriousness or otherwise of what took place was still being established by the ECB on Monday but the news could not have come at a worse time. Joe Root’s side, who went 1-0 down in the Ashes that morning, still have their star all-rounder Ben Stokes back at home as he awaits the outcome of a police investigation into a fight in Bristol two months ago.
The ECB confirmed the team management had been “made aware of allegations of an incident in Perth four weeks ago” after the close of play on the fourth day at the Gabba. Australia went on to knock off the final 56 runs needed for a 10-wicket victory. Bancroft, on his Test debut, finished 82 not out and struck the winning runs while David Warner was unbeaten on 87.
The spokesperson said: “There has been no report of any incident from the venue, security or police and there was no injury reported. Following an initial conversation with Jonny Bairstow tonight we understand the context and will follow up with England players and management after the Brisbane Test.”
That team security was present on the night out in Perth – but it took a media report to make the ECB hierarchy aware – may prompt questions. However, privately England’s players have been left baffled by the news, saying both parties continued to enjoy each other’s company that evening after some playfulness had taken place.
Nevertheless the topic appeared to be the subject of some chatter about “headbutts” by members of the Australia team when Bairstow was batting on day four of the first Test and the local media have certainly leapt on the story, asking pointed questions about the drinking culture of the tourists.
Though the facts of this latest incident remain sketchy, such talk was inevitable. The absence of Stokes from the touring party has remained high on the news agenda in Australia, where last week there were speculative reports that he was set to fly out to the country despite the ongoing police investigation.
Stokes, the England Test vice-captain, was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm at 2.35am on 25 September after a one-day international victory against West Indies, before being released under investigation. He, along with his team‑mate Alex Hales, remains suspended on full pay pending the outcome of this and the ECB’s own disciplinary procedure that will follow.
Bairstow was one of three additional players – along with Jake Ball and Liam Plunkett – fined £1,000 for staying out late that night, although he was not present at the time of the fight. Whether this latest incident in Australia results in any disciplinary action being taken remains to be seen but it will nevertheless increase the pressure on the England team.
England have not placed any curfews on players during this tour – downtime is still required – but their every move will be watched. Last year the South Africa captain, Faf du Plessis, was the subject of intense scrutiny by the local media when accused – and subsequently found guilty of – ball-tampering during his side’s 2-1 victory over Australia here.
