'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 .


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


The England and Wales Cricket Board examined reports of gamers drinking exceedingly during a mid-series trip to Noosa, while white-ball captain Harry Brook was punched by a bar 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 essential," said Stewart, presently director of cricket at Surrey.


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


"The greater level you are, the more scrutiny you're under and therefore the sacrifices are greater and for that reason be really selective 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 present and former gamers and their families around their health and wellness.


He was likewise recommended as a possible prospect to change England's managing director Rob Key, though Key is expected to be given the possibility to improve 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 offering psychological health assistance to 239 current and previous professional cricketers over the past five years. There has been a 33% boost in therapy sessions from 667 in 2024 to 889 in 2025.


The report references 8 cases of gamers going into "residential rehabilitation" - receiving treatment in professional centers at which they can stay for a time period supported economically by the trust - for different concerns consisting of to alcohol, anxiety, gambling and drug abuse.


Discussing the high-profile 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've continued to strive on the education front.


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


"We're still going to have people make the wrong options 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 select them up."


The report says more than half of the issues affecting players associate with low mood, stress and anxiety and emotional support.


"We have actually got to make sure the assistance systems remain in location and that individuals are not scared to actually put a hand up and say I'm struggling," Stewart said.


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


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