England coach facing the sack after 6am Ashes party video leak

According to reports from the UK, police were called because Thorpe was allegedly smoking a cigar inside — which is prohibited.

Mobile phone footage shows four cops attending an area where Australian players Nathan Lyon, Alex Carey and Travis Head — some of whom were still dressed in their playing whites — were sitting around a table with open beers.

England captain Joe Root and seam bowler Jimmy Anderson are in the video too, while a woman is also part of the group.

One police officer is heard saying: “Too loud. You have obviously been asked to pack up, so we’ve been asked to come.

“Time for bed. Thank you.

“They just want to pack up.”

When asked to move on, the players agreed, collected their things and walked away.

England launched an investigation after the video was made public and it emerged on Tuesday Thorpe — the former Test star who took over as head coach in Sydney because Chris Silverwood was isolating with Covid-19 — was the one who filmed it.

This has been the Ashes tour from hell for England, who suffered a 4-0 drubbing and capitulated inside three days in the final Test at Hobart, and this video leak has only added to its woes.

Cricket writer Mike Selvey defended Thorpe and said the decision to film the situation was “misguided and thoughtless rather than malicious”, while journalist and commentator Isabelle Westbury replied: “Misguided and thoughtless just about sums up the tour then … Pretty sure that’s the whole point.”

English cricket reporter Chris Stocks tweeted: “Okay so this is pretty embarrassing. Yes, doesn’t look like much harm was done but how the hell does this footage end up in the public domain given it was seemingly filmed by England’s assistant coach?”

Multiple publications in the UK are reporting Thorpe could lose his job over the incident while Will Macpherson of the Evening Standard tweeted: “Shambolic end to a shambolic tour for England. There’s no issue whatsoever with players staying up all night drinking with opposition after a tough series, or even receiving a noise complaint. Absolutely amateurish for footage of it to end up in the public domain.”

Cricket Australia is aware of the video and in a statement on Tuesday, Tasmania Police said: “Tasmania Police attended the Crowne Plaza Hobart on Monday morning after reports were made of intoxicated people in a function area.

“The guests were spoken to by police just after 6:00am and left the area when asked.

“No further action will be taken by police.”

Originally published as England coach facing the sack after 6am Ashes party video leak