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Ben Duckett punished by ECB after drink-pouring incident in Perth

Ben Duckett bats during England's One Day International match against Bangladesh

England Lions player Ben Duckett has been fined and suspended by the ECB following an incident in a Perth bar on Thursday night.

The Northamptonshire batsman was provisionally suspended on Saturday, pending an investigation, having reportedly poured a drink over England bowler James Anderson during a night out.

Following the investigation, Duckett has been fined the maximum allowable amount for an England Lions player, suspended from playing for the rest of their training camp in Australia, and issued with a written warning in respect of his future conduct.

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All-rounder Moeen Ali says the England squad are aware that the off-field behaviour needs to improve

However, Duckett will not be sent home and will remain with the England Lions party until they return from Australia on December 17.

The 23-year-old opener had been due to play for an England XI against a Cricket Australia XI this weekend but was a late omission from the team and it was later announced he had been provisionally suspended.

England head coach Trevor Bayliss was asked about the incident after Saturday's play and said: "I think it is fairly trivial but in the current climate it is just not acceptable.

"Everyone has been warned that even small things can be blown out of proportion.

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"Most of the guys are fine. Somewhere along the line, some guys have got to pull their head in."

The off-field behaviour of the England players has increasingly come under the spotlight since Ben Stokes was involved in an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in September.

The all-rounder has not featured on the Ashes tour, as he waits to learn whether he will be charged.

Jonny Bairstow's unusual 'headbutt' greeting to Australia opener Cameron Bancroft in a bar at the start of their tour has also been heavily reported, although the England wicket-keeper was not sanctioned, his explanation that no malice was intended having been accepted.

The incident on Thursday occurred the first evening after ECB director Andrew Strauss had agreed to a relaxing of a midnight curfew, which was imposed two weeks ago as a result of the Bairstow incident.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 27:  Jonny Bairstow of England talks to media during a press conference following play  during day five of the First Test Ma
Image: Jonny Bairstow's 'head-butt' greeting of Cameron Bancroft was considered unusual but not malicious

Moeen Ali captained the England side this weekend and said after the match: "We all know the off-field behaviour needs to improve.

"We're all grown men and should know how to behave.

"I think it's really important we inspire the younger generation to take up the game. It could turn them away and that's not what we want."

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