Ben Duckett incident 'not funny', says Australia coach Darren Lehmann

By Rory O'Callaghan

Darren Lehmann took the high road when asked about England's latest late-night incident.

Australia head coach Darren Lehmann says England's latest late-night incident is no laughing matter and insists he is taking no enjoyment from the tourists' ongoing off-field problems.

England Lions batsman Ben Duckett was provisionally suspended from a two-day tour match on Saturday and will now face a disciplinary hearing after pouring a drink over James Anderson in a Perth bar earlier this week.

Duckett's behaviour, which was branded as "unacceptable" by England head coach Trevor Bayliss, is the third incident to rock the tourists in recent months - following Ben Stokes' involvement in a brawl outside a Bristol nightclub in September and Jonny Bairstow's 'headbutt' greeting for Australia Test opener Cameron Bancroft in Perth in October.

Image: England Lions player Ben Duckett poured a drink over James Anderson in Perth earlier this week

"I've been through all that, so no, I don't have a chuckle at that," said Lehmann.

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

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"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."

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Lehmann insists he has complete faith in his players to act professionally in between matches.

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"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."

Image: England face Australia in the third Ashes Test in Perth on Thursday

Australia can regain the Ashes if they beat England in the third Test in Perth, which gets underway on December 14, and Lehmann has urged his players to not get distracted by England's disciplinary issues.

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

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