'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 drink and the time not to", says previous England captain Alec Stewart.


Discussion around drinking controlled this winter season'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 excessively throughout a mid-series journey 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 improve anyone's performance so this is why the education is so essential," stated Stewart, presently director of cricket at Surrey.


"People aren't going to just live like monks and be completely teetotal, however people require 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 higher and therefore be very in what you put into your body, whether that is food, whether that is beverage or whatever."


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Stewart was speaking after being revealed as the brand-new president of the Cricketers' Trust charity, which offers support to current and former gamers and their households around their health and wellness.


He was also suggested as a possible prospect to replace 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 replaced.


The charity has actually released a new report to outline its work, consisting of supplying mental health assistance to 239 existing and previous professional cricketers over the past five years. There has been a 33% boost in treatment sessions from 667 in 2024 to 889 in 2025.


The report referrals 8 cases of players going into "domestic rehab" - getting treatment in specialist centers at which they can remain for a period of time supported economically by the trust - for various problems consisting of to alcohol, stress and anxiety, betting and compound abuse.


Discussing the prominent conversation around alcohol this winter, former batter Ian Thomas who now operates 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's in everyday life in society, but there is an obligation for professional athletes and cricketers to make the best choices at the ideal times and that's what our education was about.


"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 pick them up."


The report says over half of the concerns affecting gamers associate with low mood, anxiety and psychological assistance.


"We've got to make sure the support mechanisms are in place which people are not afraid to really put a hand up and say I'm having a hard time," Stewart stated.


"It's always existed. It constantly will be there since it's such a result-based business. This is where you've got to get the balance."


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