Stokes, McCullum live it up in Noosa as cricket world slams Ashes holiday
England’s beach holiday amid an Ashes disaster continues to defy cricket tradition as photos of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum say it all.
England’s cricket team don’t look at all bothered by being 2-0 down in the Ashes as they continue to enjoy themselves in Noosa.
The visitors are taking a mid-series holiday on the Sunshine Coast as they look to mentally refresh and steel themselves to launch an unlikely bid stay alive in the series.
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After coach Brendon McCullum raised eyebrows by declaring his side “over prepared” for the second Test despite not playing a warm-up game, the Poms have hit the beach in Noosa.
There was barely a shirt in sight as Ben Stokes and his team strolled around Noosa Main Beach and enjoyed a dip in the ocean, while Zak Crawley and the bowlers had a quiet beer on Tuesday.
The good times kept rolling on Wednesday, with England’s entire squad relaxing by playing a fun game of kickabout on the beach.
McCullum got in on the action, playing keep-ups with his players and having a swim in his boardies.
It’s hard to imagine McCullum’s Australian counterpart Andrew McDonald doing the same in the middle of an Ashes series, but each to their own.
The England boys are not hiding away in Noosa. Full squad kickabout on the beach pic.twitter.com/ENwIBzVSzd
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) December 10, 2025
Jofra Archer was still sporting his chunky gold chain and players including injured fast bowler Mark Wood were seen applying sunscreen on each other’s back as they looked to stay safe in the Australian sun.
Stokes has been a good sport in Noosa, happy to take selfies with fans on the beach. On Wednesday he even posed for a photo with two local radio hosts in full cricket whites holding signs that read “For sale, moral victories” and “Bazballers, anonymous free counselling”.
The optics of the England team relaxing at the beach haven’t gone down well given the tourists have been heavily criticised for a lack of competitive practice matches on tour.
Ex-England captain Nasser Hussain said he could not get his head around England spending time in Noosa instead of training or playing matches in the lead-up to Adelaide.
“I don’t think I’d be going to Noosa,’’ legendary commentator David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd told BBC Sport.
“I’m a bit old school, it’d be naughty boy nets. There are definite consequences to this. There always has been, there always will be. There will be consequences and those start with those in charge.”
“I can’t understand England’s schedule for the week ahead,’’ he wrote in The Athletic.
“England will be going into the third Test without playing a single warm-up game against Australian opposition, and that is beyond me.
“Stokes is not the first captain to come to Australia and struggle — and he won’t be the last.
“History tells you it’s a hugely difficult place to win and this England team are finding that out themselves in the toughest way imaginable. Stokes and McCullum have tried a different way of doing things, but it’s just not paying off at the moment.”
But some had sympathy for the England players looking to switch off in between Test matches.
Former England batter Dawid Malan told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Sometimes you can lose the fact these guys are human beings.
“Anyone who has a normal job is able to go to the pub on their day off. It’s the same with these guys.
“They need to get away from cricket and they have to have a break. They have to clear their minds.”
“The Ashes is a very hotly contested contest and you don’t want to be thinking cricket every single day of the tour. If you do have a little break, it’s probably not a bad time to refresh the batteries,” Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey said.
“Our boys played a bit of golf. I’m probably watching Netflix or taking the fishing rod away if I can.
“It’s not new stuff that the English guys are doing, having a little break.”
The third Ashes Test begins in Adelaide next Wednesday, December 2017.
Pat Cummins has been named in Australia’s squad for the third Test and is set to make his return from a back injury that sidelined him from the opening two matches.
Nathan Lyon is also expected to return, which means only one of Scott Boland, Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett will likely take the field in Adelaide.
Usman Khawaja has been named in the squad and is an outside chance of earning a surprise recall either at the top of the order or at No. 5 if Australia opt to reshuffle their line-up again.
Paceman Jhye Richardson has also been named in the squad.
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