'Cricketers Need To Understand Right Times To Drink'

ByMatthew Henry
BBC Sport Journalist


19 February 2026


Cricket does not have an alcohol problem but players "require to understand the time to have a drink and the time not to", says previous England captain Alec Stewart.


Discussion around drinking controlled this winter season's Ashes series in Australia with the behaviour of England's gamers greatly scrutinised throughout their 4-1 defeat in the Tests.


The England and Wales Cricket Board investigated reports of players consuming exceedingly throughout a mid-series trip to Noosa, while white-ball captain Harry Brook was punched by a bar bouncer the night before a one-day match in New Zealand in November.


"Alcohol will not improve anybody's efficiency so this is why the education is so important," said Stewart, currently director of at Surrey.


"People aren't going to just live like monks and be completely teetotal, but individuals require to comprehend the time to have a beverage and the time not to.


"The higher level you are, the more analysis you're under and for that reason the sacrifices are greater and for that reason be very selective in what you take into your body, whether that is food, whether that is drink or whatever."


'Conversation required over cricket drinking culture'


9 January


Stewart was speaking after being revealed as the brand-new president of the Cricketers' Trust charity, which offers assistance to current and former gamers and their families around their health and wellbeing.


He was likewise suggested as a possible prospect to replace England's handling director Rob Key, though Key is expected to be given the chance to enhance England's fortunes.


Selector Luke Wright left his position after the Ashes and is yet to be changed.


The charity has released a new report to describe its work, including supplying psychological health assistance to 239 existing and previous professional cricketers over the past 5 years. There has been a 33% increase in treatment sessions from 667 in 2024 to 889 in 2025.


The report referrals 8 cases of gamers entering into "residential rehab" - receiving treatment in professional centers at which they can stay for a period of time supported financially by the trust - for numerous issues consisting of to alcohol, stress and anxiety, betting and drug abuse.


Speaking about the prominent discussion around alcohol this winter season, former batter Ian Thomas who now works at the Professional Cricketers' Association and is a Cricketers' Trust trustee said: "We have actually continued to work hard on the education front.


"It's something that remains in everyday life in society, but there is a duty for athletes and cricketers to make the ideal choices at the correct times and that's what our education had to do with.


"We're still going to have people make the incorrect options and we're still going to have human mistake.


"The greatest part for us if that does take place is that we have the ability to pick them up."


The report states more than half of the problems impacting players relate to low state of mind, anxiety and emotional assistance.


"We've got to ensure the assistance systems remain in location which individuals are not afraid to really put a hand up and state I'm having a hard time," Stewart stated.


"It's constantly existed. It always will exist because it's such a result-based business. This is where you've got to get the balance."


Cricket


Get cricket news sent straight to your phone