'Cricketers Need To Understand Right Times To Drink'
ByMatthew Henry
BBC Sport Journalist
19 February 2026
Cricket does not have an alcohol issue however gamers "require to comprehend the time to have a drink and the time not to", says former England captain Alec Stewart.
Discussion around drinking controlled this winter season'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 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 efficiency so this is why the education is so important," stated Stewart, currently director of cricket at Surrey.
"People aren't going to just live like monks and be completely teetotal, however people require to understand 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 put into your body, whether that is food, whether that is drink or whatever."
'Conversation required over cricket drinking culture'
9 January
Stewart was speaking after being revealed as the new president of the Cricketers' Trust charity, which supplies assistance to present and former gamers and their families around their health and wellbeing.
He was likewise recommended as a possible candidate to replace England's managing director Rob Key, though Key is anticipated to be offered the opportunity to improve England's fortunes.
Selector Luke Wright left his position after the Ashes and is yet to be replaced.
The charity has actually launched a brand-new report to detail its work, including supplying psychological health assistance to 239 existing and previous expert cricketers over the previous five years. There has been a 33% boost in therapy sessions from 667 in 2024 to 889 in 2025.
The report recommendations 8 cases of gamers going into "residential rehab" - receiving treatment in professional facilities at which they can remain for a duration of time supported economically by the trust - for various issues including to alcohol, stress and anxiety, gaming and substance abuse.
Speaking about the prominent conversation around alcohol this winter, previous 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 remains in everyday life in society, but there is a duty for professional athletes and cricketers to make the best choices at the correct times and that's what our education was about.
"We're still going to have people make the wrong options and we're still going to have human error.
"The greatest part for us if that does take place is that we're able to pick them up."
The report says over half of the issues impacting players connect to low mood, stress and anxiety and psychological assistance.
"We have actually got to ensure the assistance mechanisms remain in location and that people are not afraid to in fact put a hand up and state I'm having a hard time," said.
"It's always been there. It constantly will exist due to the fact that it's such a result-based business. This is where you've got to get the balance."
Cricket
Get cricket news sent straight to your phone