'Cricketers Need To Understand Right Times To Drink'
ByMatthew Henry
BBC Sport Journalist
19 February 2026
Cricket does not have an alcohol issue but players "need to comprehend the time to have a beverage and the time not to", states previous England captain Alec Stewart.
Discussion around drinking dominated this winter's Ashes series in Australia with the behaviour of England's gamers heavily scrutinised during their 4-1 defeat in the Tests.
The and Wales Cricket Board examined reports of players drinking exceedingly throughout 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 improve anyone's efficiency so this is why the education is so essential," said Stewart, currently director of cricket at Surrey.
"People aren't going to simply live like monks and be totally teetotal, however individuals need to understand the time to have a drink and the time not to.
"The greater level you are, the more analysis 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 new president of the Cricketers' Trust charity, which supplies assistance to existing and previous gamers and their families around their health and wellbeing.
He was also suggested as a possible prospect to change England's managing director Rob Key, though Key is anticipated to be provided 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 released a brand-new report to outline its work, consisting of providing mental health support to 239 existing and previous expert cricketers over the previous 5 years. There has actually been a 33% boost in treatment sessions from 667 in 2024 to 889 in 2025.
The report referrals 8 cases of gamers going into "property rehab" - receiving treatment in expert facilities at which they can stay for a period of time supported financially by the trust - for numerous concerns consisting of to alcohol, anxiety, gambling and substance abuse.
Speaking about the prominent discussion around alcohol this winter season, previous 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's in everyday life in society, but there is a responsibility for professional 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 individuals make the wrong choices and we're still going to have human mistake.
"The greatest part for us if that does take place is that we have the ability to select them up."
The report says majority of the concerns affecting players connect to low state of mind, stress and anxiety and emotional assistance.
"We have actually got to ensure the support mechanisms are in place and that individuals are not afraid to actually put a hand up and state I'm having a hard time," Stewart stated.
"It's constantly existed. It always will exist because it's such a result-based business. This is where you've got to get the balance."
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