The conclusion of the highly competitive and controversial Ashes series saw Australia retain the urn after a drawn 2-2 result. Following the fifth and final Test at The Oval, where England secured a thrilling victory with a remarkable bowling display, it is customary for players and support staff from both teams to gather for a post-series drink session. However, reports suggest that England turned down this tradition, leaving the Australian players and their contingent surprised and disappointed.
After a dominant opening session, Australia appeared to be on course to win the series 3-1, needing just 146 more runs with seven wickets in hand. But, England’s bowlers put on a stunning display, taking four wickets in just 19 balls to turn the tide. The retiring Stuart Broad then took the final two wickets late in the game to secure a victory for England in the final Test.
Australia and England fail to share traditional post-series drinks
Despite the drawn series, Australia retained the Ashes urn, and the customary post-series drink session was anticipated to bring both teams together for camaraderie and celebration.
According to an Australian spokesperson, the England squad reportedly locked their dressing room after the post-match presentation, leaving the Australian players waiting in confusion outside. The door was knocked on several times, but there was no response, and the Australian squad members had to wait for over an hour.
Now hearing that the Aussie players did ask the England team about getting together half a dozen times but didn’t get a response and that allegedly the home team stayed behind locked doors #Ashes https://t.co/BopRk4iCaZ
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) July 31, 2023
English coach Brendon McCullum had previously mentioned that they did not want to share a drink with the Australian team, particularly in the wake of the controversy surrounding the Jonny Bairstow stumping incident at Lord’s.
“I can’t imagine we’ll be having a beer with them any time soon,” England’s red-ball coach said after the conclusion of Lord’s Test.
On the other hand, according to the England spokesperson, the English camp had every intention of participating in the traditional post-series drink session. But, they were taken aback to discover that the Australian players had already departed from the premises before they could find them to extend the invitation.
“After the media commitments at the end of the Test, both teams had their families and friends celebrating and reminiscing in the respective dressing rooms. That lasted quite a long period. We then did our end-of-Test wrap-up, which included a number of presentations to our retired players and staff,” the English spokesperson was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald
“After the formal proceedings we were going to invite Australia in for a drink and they had left. I’m not sure what the exact time was, but it was around 10.30 pm, 10.40 pm. There was no indication to say they had gone. It’s a great shame that a drink wasn’t shared and the opportunity of looking back on an epic series,” the spokesperson concluded.
