GARY BALLANCE was not breaking team rules when he was pictured shirtless in a Nottingham bar following last week’s drawn Test against India, but coach Peter Moores has reminded his squad to “uphold the best possible image for England cricket”.

Yorkshire batsman Ballance, who made 71 in the game, went out following the end of the series opener on Sunday night, along with several teammates, and was snapped by members of the public enjoying himself in the early hours.

Despite being in the middle of back-to-back Tests - with hostilities due to resume today at Lord’s - Moores gave his squad permission to go out ahead of a rest day on Monday.

But the pictures are clearly ones the England and Wales Cricket Board would not welcome as a regular occurrence and Moores has vowed to talk to the squad about his expectations for their public appearances.

Moores said: “I am aware that some of the England players were caught on camera relaxing after the conclusion of the recent Trent Bridge Test match.

“As the players had been released at the end of the first Test and were not due to meet up to begin preparations for the second Test until Monday evening, and there were no suggestions of impropriety, there is no need for any disciplinary action.

“I will however be reminding all players of their responsibilities to uphold the best possible image for England cricket.”