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


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


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


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


"People aren't going to simply live like monks and be completely teetotal, however individuals need to understand the time to have a drink and the time not to.


"The higher level you are, the more examination you're under and therefore the sacrifices are higher and therefore be extremely 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 new president of the Cricketers' Trust charity, which supplies support to present and previous gamers and their families around their health and health and wellbeing.


He was also recommended as a prospective prospect to change England's handling director Rob Key, though Key is expected to be offered the opportunity to enhance England's fortunes.


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


The charity has actually launched a new report to detail its work, consisting of supplying mental health assistance to 239 present and previous professional cricketers over the previous five years. There has been a 33% increase in therapy sessions from 667 in 2024 to 889 in 2025.


The report references 8 cases of players entering into "residential rehabilitation" - receiving treatment in specialist facilities at which they can stay for an amount of time supported financially by the trust - for various problems consisting of to alcohol, stress and anxiety, gaming and compound abuse.


Speaking about the prominent conversation 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's in everyday life in society, but there is a duty for professional athletes and cricketers to make the best choices at the best times and that's what our education was about.


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


"The greatest part for us if that does happen is that we have the ability to select them up."


The report says over half of the concerns impacting gamers connect to low mood, anxiety and psychological assistance.


"We have actually got to make sure the support systems are in location and that people are not afraid to actually put a hand up and say I'm struggling," Stewart said.


"It's always been there. It constantly will exist since it's such a result-based company. This is where you have actually got to get the balance."


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