Stuart Broad has firmly rejected suggestions that England's cricket squad suffers from a drinking culture, despite several alcohol-related controversies during the recent Ashes campaign.
The former seamer addressed the matter on his For the Love of Cricket podcast, arguing that criticism directed at the team has been excessive.
"They've just had a couple of guys who have made mistakes and that's got into the media," Broad stated.
He maintained that individual errors should not be conflated with a systemic problem within the dressing room.
Stuart Broad has denied that there is a drinking culture among the England squad
|PA
"I think it's up to your teammates to get you out of those situations, and that's when your culture's really strong," he added.
England's 4-1 series defeat in Australia was overshadowed by off-field incidents that prompted managing director Rob Key to announce an investigation into the squad's drinking habits.
The incidents that sparked public debate included a video circulating on social media that appeared to show opener Ben Duckett intoxicated and struggling to recall the location of his accommodation.
A small group of individuals could be heard questioning whether the batsman knew how to return to his hotel.
Harry Brook found himself at the centre of another controversy following a confrontation with a nightclub doorman during England's autumn tour of New Zealand.
England's white-ball captain Harry Brook publicly apologised after becoming embroiled in an incident with a nightclub doorman in Wellington
| GETTYThe limited-overs captain subsequently issued an apology, acknowledging he had brought embarrassment upon himself and the national side.
Further scrutiny arose when members of the squad were photographed enjoying drinks during a mid-series break in Noosa, with reports suggesting the beach excursion resembled a "stag do" rather than professional preparation.
Broad expressed his opposition to implementing a midnight curfew, a measure that has been mooted following the recent controversies.
"I really didn't like having a 12 o'clock curfew, because I just didn't feel like you should need it," he remarked.
The 38-year-old suggested that teammates taking responsibility for one another would prove more effective than formal restrictions.
"As long as you have people around you to get yourself home at a suitable hour, having teammates around you to go, 'your time's up', that's enough," Broad explained.
He pointed to several senior figures as evidence that excessive drinking is not endemic within the group.
England's troubled Ashes campaign concluded in predictable fashion at Sydney | GETTY"Crawley, Pope, and in recent times Stokes and Root - they're not really drinkers, are they? They're not party animals and going out tearing it to shreds," he observed.
The demands placed upon England's players have been considerable, with the squad touring New Zealand from mid-October before proceeding directly to Australia for the Ashes, which concluded on 7 January.
A further assignment awaits in Sri Lanka from 22 January, comprising limited-overs fixtures ahead of the T20 World Cup commencing on 8 February.
Broad acknowledged that such relentless scheduling necessitates opportunities for players to decompress.
"As an international player, you need some sort of release," he said. "If you don't have that mental switch off - cricketers are away six months of the year in hotels, it drives you mad if you don't do anything."
He noted that victorious Australian players, including Travis Head, had celebrated freely following their series triumph without attracting similar criticism.