Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad has pushed back against suggestions that the current Test side is battling a drinking culture problem. Questions around player conduct have also come to the fore, with accusations that members of the squad drank and partied excessively during their time abroad, including throughout the Ashes series in Australia. In response to the growing criticism, Stuart Broad has come out to defend his ex-teammates. The massive scrutiny comes amid England’s disappointing 4–1 Test defeat Down Under.

"They've just had a couple of guys who have made mistakes, and that's got into the media," he said on the For the Love of Cricket podcast.

"I think it's up to your teammates to get you out of those situations, and that's when your culture's really strong."

"Ben Duckett isn't left alone, no idea where his hotel is. Harry Brook doesn't get himself in a situation with a bouncer because they're not allowed anywhere near that situation. So I think that's the thing that will disappoint [head coach] Brendon McCullum."

Broad was against the suggestions that the ECB should impose a curfew on players during overseas tours.

"I really didn't like having a 12 o'clock curfew, because I just didn't feel like you should need it. As long as you have people around you to get yourself home at a suitable hour, having the teammates around you to go, 'your time's up'."

"I look at this England team, they're not drinking. I've seen loads of things about a drinking culture and we got that in 2021-22 when we left Australia.

"(Zak) Crawley, (Ollie) Pope, and in recent times Stokes and (Joe) Root - they're not really drinkers, are they? They're not party animals and going out tearing it to shreds. There isn't a drinking culture. I'll hang my hat on that, if I'm honest, knowing the boys as well as I do. But it is just making sure the boys don't get in trouble when situations arise."

Broad further asserted that players need some time off as well. 

"As an international player, you need some sort of release. I'm not saying it's 'have a few beers, whatever your release is', but if you don't have that mental switch-off, it drives you mad if you don't do anything."

"Cricketers are away six months of the year in hotels. There isn't a drinking culture. I'll hang my hat on that, knowing the boys as well as I do. But it is just making sure the boys don't get in trouble when situations arise."