ECB respond to 'headbutt' reports

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have spoken to wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow regarding media reports he "headbutted" Australian opener Cameron Bancroft at a bar in Perth.

The alleged incident happened earlier this month when the tourists were in Western Australia's capital city for their opening practice match of the Magellan Ashes tour.

Bancroft, who made his Test debut in Brisbane this week, lives in Perth.

It is understood Bancroft did neither provoke nor retaliate in the incident.

After Sky News Australia initially reported the ECB were investigating reports Bairstow "headbutted" Bancroft, the cricket board released a statement late Sunday night that promised further action.

"At close of play in Brisbane today, we were made aware of allegations of an incident in Perth four weeks ago," the statement read.

"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."

The controversy surrounding Bairstow comes as his teammate Ben Stokes is still under police investigation for his role in a brawl outside a nightspot in Bristol in September.

Bairstow was one of three England players fined and given a formal written warning for unprofessional behaviour by England in October.

That punishment came following an ECB internal disciplinary process surrounding player conduct during the ODI series against the West Indies. Stokes and Alex Hales were embroiled in controversy on a night out after the fourth match of that series. 

While England's players decided not to impose an alcohol ban for the Ashes tour, they had agreed their behaviour off the field would be heavily scrutinised following the Stokes incident and decided they would not drink in the immediate lead-up to matches.

"The players sat down and had a chat," said England's Australian coach Trevor Bayliss. "They are the ones who have come up with this.

"There are no set curfews, they are just sensible rulings.

"To me, it's what we should have been sticking to anyway as players or people around a professional set-up.

"Not drinking between matches is just sensible. We certainly don't want to keep players in their rooms because it is a long tour. You have to get out and experience what the country you're touring has to offer.

"It's about picking the right time to have a couple of drinks, but knowing to stay away from it if you're preparing for a match."

- with Chris Stocks

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

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

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 Gabba, November 23-27. Tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Tickets

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

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

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

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