'Cricketers Need To Understand Right Times To Drink'

ByMatthew Henry
BBC Sport Journalist


19 February 2026


Cricket does not have an alcohol issue but players "require to comprehend the time to have a beverage and the time not to", says former England captain Alec Stewart.


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


The England and Wales Cricket Board investigated reports of players drinking excessively throughout 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 efficiency so this is why the education is so important," said Stewart, presently director of cricket at Surrey.


"People aren't going to simply live like monks and be entirely teetotal, however people require to comprehend the time to have a drink and the time not to.


"The higher level you are, the more analysis 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."


'Conversation needed over cricket drinking culture'


9 January


Stewart was speaking after being revealed as the new president of the Cricketers' Trust charity, which offers assistance to present and previous gamers and their families around their health and wellness.


He was also suggested as a potential candidate to change England's managing director Rob Key, though Key is anticipated to be given 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 released a new report to describe its work, consisting of supplying mental health support to 239 present and previous professional cricketers over the previous five years. There has been a 33% boost in treatment sessions from 667 in 2024 to 889 in 2025.


The report references eight cases of players going into "property rehab" - getting treatment in professional centers at which they can remain for an amount of time supported economically by the trust - for numerous issues including to alcohol, anxiety, betting and substance abuse.


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


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


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


"The biggest part for us if that does occur is that we have the ability to choose them up."


The report states over half of the issues affecting gamers relate to low state of mind, stress and anxiety and emotional assistance.


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


"It's always existed. It always will be there because it's such a result-based company. This is where you have actually got to get the balance."


Cricket


Get cricket news sent directly to your phone