England drink issues no joke for Lehmann

Australia coach Darren Lehmann says England's latest alcohol-fuelled incident is no laughing matter and insists the hosts will not underestimate their opponents in the third Magellan Ashes Test in Perth next week.

England were rocked yesterday by a third alcohol-related transgression in three months after Lions batsman Ben Duckett was suspended from taking part in England's two-day tour match for tipping a drink on the head of England veteran James Anderson.

The Duckett drama follows Ben Stokes' involvement in a brawl outside a Bristol nightclub in September and Jonny Bairstow's headbutt greeting for Cameron Bancroft in Perth in late October.

England coach Trevor Bayliss described Duckett's incident as "trivial" but "not acceptable", and his Australia counterpart did not see the funny side of his rivals self-destructing.

"I've been through all that, so no, I don't have a chuckle at that," Lehmann told reporters today in Perth if he found England's troubles amusing.

"You have those situations at various stages throughout your career. It's not funny.

"It's a case of actually making sure you're trying the best you can to get your side prepared. For me, I don't have a chuckle at any of that."

Lehmann said he has complete faith in his players.

"I trust them, obviously," he said. "They've just had a couple of days off, so they're all in today, and I'm sure they'll do well."

Having recorded comprehensive wins in Brisbane (10 wickets) and Adelaide (120 runs), Australia can regain the Ashes with victory in Perth.

But Lehmann said his side will "start from scratch" at the WACA Ground, which is set to host its final Ashes Test before major international cricket fixtures head to the newly-built Perth Stadium.

"For us we can't worry about what's going on outside with England," the coach said.

"They're still a good cricket side and have some dangerous players.

"For us, (Australia's players) have got to be really switched on come day one in Perth.

"Hopefully a big crowd's there and we have a great spectacle over five days."

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21