'Cricketers Need To Understand Right Times To Drink'

ByMatthew Henry
BBC Sport Journalist


19 February 2026


Cricket does not have an alcohol issue however players "require to comprehend the time to have a beverage and the time not to", states previous England captain Alec Stewart.


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


The England and Wales Cricket Board examined reports of gamers consuming exceedingly during a mid-series journey 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 improve anyone's efficiency 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 people need to comprehend the time to have a beverage and the time not to.


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


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Stewart was speaking after being announced as the new president of the Cricketers' Trust charity, which provides support to present and previous players and their households around their health and wellness.


He was likewise recommended as a potential prospect to change England's handling director Rob Key, though Key is anticipated to be provided the opportunity to improve 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 outline its work, including providing mental health support to 239 existing and former expert cricketers over the previous five years. There has actually been a 33% increase in treatment sessions from 667 in 2024 to 889 in 2025.


The report referrals 8 cases of gamers going into "domestic rehab" - receiving treatment in specialist facilities at which they can stay for an amount of time supported economically by the trust - for various concerns consisting of to alcohol, anxiety, gaming and substance abuse.


Discussing the high-profile discussion around alcohol this winter, former batter Ian Thomas who now works at the Professional Cricketers' Association and is a Cricketers' Trust trustee stated: "We have actually continued to strive on the education front.


"It's something that remains in daily life in society, however there is a responsibility for athletes and cricketers to make the right options 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 error.


"The most significant part for us if that does happen is that we're able to choose them up."


The report says of the issues affecting players connect to low state of mind, anxiety and psychological assistance.


"We've got to make certain the assistance systems are in place which individuals are not afraid to in fact put a hand up and say I'm struggling," Stewart said.


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


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