England’s Ashes squad issued warning ahead of tour
England captain Ben Stokes confident of Ashes fitness
England managing director Rob Key has warned players to be "smart" and avoid "stupid things" during the upcoming Ashes tour in Australia.
Key emphasised that the 16-strong squad, led by Ben Stokes, will face intense scrutiny and will not be anonymous once they arrive in November.
The team's primary objective is to reclaim the Ashes urn, which England last won in 2015.
Drawing on his own experience from the 2002-03 tour, Key highlighted how local media can quickly pick up on any missteps, citing an example of a dropped catch being reported.
He underscored the significant public interest in the series, describing it as potentially "one of the best of all time" and compelling viewing.