England trio Ben Stokes, Mark Wood and Jamie Smith spotted riding e-scooters without helmets in Brisbane
England skipper Ben Stokes and several teammates were spotted in Brisbane riding e-scooters without helmets. (Backgrid)
Ollie Pope says the England team has learned its lesson after a handful of players were photographed riding e-scooters without helmets during the Ashes tour.
Captain Ben Stokes, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and injured paceman Mark Wood were pictured riding scooters around Brisbane in the lead-up to the second Test match on Thursday.
Queensland government rules do not require helmets for those using human-powered scooters, but they must be worn when riding the motorised variety.
Section 256A(1) of Queensland's road rules state that e-scooter riders can face a fine of $166 for failing to wear a helmet without an exemption.
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"The Queensland Police Service are aware of images being circulated of persons riding e-scooters without helmets within the Brisbane area," a QPS spokesperson said in a statement.
"Officers have since engaged with those persons to inform and educate them on compliance requirements associated with e-mobility devices in Queensland."
England's frontline players had made a priority of banding together in Brisbane after their first-Test loss rather than splitting off for some to play the day-night tour match in Canberra.
Loading...English batter Pope said it was important for the team to have downtime outside together in the days before the second Test.
"As cricketers and people it is important to try and switch off and be yourself," he said.
"For me, if we did lose a game the way we did, everyone is gutted. Locking your doors and not coming out of your rooms is the unhealthy thing to do, as we saw in COVID.
"Whatever you are doing in your off time, whether it is taking your mind away from cricket for a day or two, I think that is really important."
But the players will be smarter about road safety next time.
"Just put a helmet on next time I guess. Rules are rules, I guess. No other comment from me," Pope said.
Wood is expected to sit out the second Test with a knee injury, having missed the entire county season following surgery on the same knee.
Will Jacks has been named to replace Wood in Brisbane.
After the pace cartel troubled Australia on day one of the Perth Test, Brydon Carse said England was well placed to handle Wood's absence.
"As a bowling group, we're quite settled in where we're going to bowl and what our role is in the side," he said.
AAP/ABC