India, Dec. 23 -- Rob Key has ordered an internal check on England's conduct during their mid-series break at Noosa after claims the trip resembled a "stag do" surfaced in Australia, as scrutiny intensifies over a tour that unravelled at startling speed. According to The Independent, Key said he would investigate what happened and insisted standards must not slip even when players are given downtime.

England are 3-0 down in the five-Test Ashes and will walk out at the MCG on Boxing Day playing for pride and damage limitation, with the question now extending beyond tactics and selection to the culture around Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum's leadership group.

Key, the managing director of England men's cricket, attempted to separate the ...