'Cricketers Need To Understand Right Times To Drink'

ByMatthew Henry
BBC Sport Journalist


19 February 2026


Cricket does not have an alcohol problem however players "need 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'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 examined reports of players drinking excessively 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 anybody's efficiency so this is why the education is so essential," said Stewart, currently director of cricket at Surrey.


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


"The higher level you are, the more examination you're under and therefore 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 beverage or whatever."


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Stewart was speaking after being announced as the new president of the Cricketers' Trust charity, which offers assistance to current and previous players and their households around their health and health and wellbeing.


He was also recommended as a possible prospect to replace England's managing director Rob Key, though Key is anticipated to be offered 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 actually launched a new report to detail its work, consisting of providing mental health assistance to 239 current and previous professional cricketers over the previous five years. There has actually been a 33% boost in therapy sessions from 667 in 2024 to 889 in 2025.


The report recommendations eight cases of gamers going into "residential rehab" - receiving treatment in specialist centers at which they can remain for a time period supported financially by the trust - for numerous issues consisting of to alcohol, anxiety, gaming and compound 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 have actually continued to work hard on the education front.


"It's something that's in everyday life in society, however there is a duty for professional athletes and cricketers to make the right options at the best times and that's what our education had to do with.


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


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


The report says more than half of the problems impacting gamers to low state of mind, anxiety and psychological support.


"We've got to make certain the support mechanisms remain in place and that individuals are not scared to in fact put a hand up and say I'm struggling," Stewart said.


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


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