'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 "need to comprehend the time to have a beverage and the time not to", says former England captain Alec Stewart.


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


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


"Alcohol will not enhance anyone's efficiency so this is why the education is so crucial," said Stewart, currently director of cricket at Surrey.


"People aren't going to just live like monks and be completely teetotal, but individuals require to understand the time to have a drink 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 therefore be really selective in what you take into your body, whether that is food, whether that is beverage or whatever."


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


He was likewise recommended as a possible prospect to replace England's managing director Rob Key, though Key is anticipated to be offered the possibility to improve England's fortunes.


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


The charity has actually launched a brand-new report to detail its work, including providing mental health assistance to 239 present and previous expert cricketers over the past five years. There has been a 33% increase in treatment sessions from 667 in 2024 to 889 in 2025.


The report references eight cases of gamers entering into "residential rehabilitation" - getting treatment in professional facilities at which they can remain for a period of time supported economically by the trust - for various issues including to alcohol, anxiety, gambling and substance abuse.


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


"It's something that remains in daily life in society, however there is an obligation for athletes and cricketers to make the ideal options at the best times which's what our education had to do with.


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


"The greatest part for us if that does happen is that we're able to select them up."


The report states over half of the concerns impacting gamers relate to low mood, anxiety and psychological support.


"We have actually got to make certain the assistance systems are in location and that individuals are not afraid to in fact put a hand up and say I'm having a hard time," Stewart said.


"It's constantly been there. It constantly will be there due to the fact that it's such a result-based organization. This is where you have actually got to get the balance."


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