In a distasteful postscript to their Ashes triumph, three top England players were today at the centre of a huge controversy following reports that they allegedly urinated on the pitch at the Oval here hours after the fifth and final Test ended last night.
The allegations, which originated from Australian journalists who were at the press box as darkness enveloped the ground, involved Stuart Broad, Kevin Pietersen and Jimmy Anderson who had all made significant contributions to England's 3-0 triumph in the series.
The players are alleged to have taken turns to urinate on the pitch after they sat on the ground with their post-match drinks, according to an Australian journalist.
The three players relieved themselves on the pitch to the cheers of teammates as the England players celebrated the victory.
England wicketkeeper Matt Prior tweeted a picture of the players drinking beer on the Oval pitch in darkness, calling it the "best moment of the Ashes".
Britain's Sports Minister Hugh Robertson said that the allegations will be examined but England coach Andy Flower refused to comment.
Robertson said, "If it happened it is not good behaviour".
According to media reports, about five hours after the last Test was stopped due to bad light with England close to victory, the players gathered near the pitch to continue their celebrations.
While the centre of the ground was quite dark, lights were on in the grandstands with people still cleaning up after a late finish, which saw the game go beyond usual time.
The incident has for sure taken some sheen away from England's win over arch-rivals Australia who failed to rise to the occasion.
Curator Cam Sutherland said that it was not a "good look" and called it unfortunate.
