A second witness has emerged claiming he saw Australian cricketers Michael Clarke and Phil Hughes drinking at a Melbourne bar well into the night on the eve of their humiliating Ashes series defeat at the MCG.

A photo has emerged of the cricketers posing with fans at The World Restaurant and Bar in Southbank, reportedly taken just 12 hours before the Australian team took to the field on the fourth and final day of the Boxing Day Test.

Do you have pictures? Email scoop@theage.com.au

The thrashing led to England retaining the Ashes on Australian soil for the first time in 24 years.