'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 "need to comprehend the time to have a drink and the time not to", states former England captain Alec Stewart.
Discussion around drinking dominated this winter's Ashes series in Australia with the behaviour of England's players greatly during their 4-1 defeat in the Tests.
The England and Wales Cricket Board examined reports of gamers drinking exceedingly throughout a mid-series journey 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 enhance anyone's performance so this is why the education is so crucial," said Stewart, presently director of cricket at Surrey.
"People aren't going to simply live like monks and be completely teetotal, but people require to comprehend the time to have a drink and the time not to.
"The greater level you are, the more scrutiny you're under and therefore the sacrifices are higher and for that reason be really selective in what you put into your body, whether that is food, whether that is drink or whatever."
'Conversation needed over cricket drinking culture'
9 January
Stewart was speaking after being revealed as the new president of the Cricketers' Trust charity, which offers support to current and previous players and their households around their health and wellbeing.
He was also suggested as a prospective candidate to change England's managing director Rob Key, though Key is expected to be given 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 released a new report to detail its work, consisting of supplying psychological health support to 239 current and previous expert cricketers over the previous 5 years. There has been a 33% increase in treatment sessions from 667 in 2024 to 889 in 2025.
The report recommendations 8 cases of players going into "domestic rehabilitation" - receiving treatment in professional facilities at which they can remain for a time period supported financially by the trust - for various issues consisting of to alcohol, stress and anxiety, betting and substance abuse.
Discussing the prominent conversation around alcohol this winter, former 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 daily life in society, however there is an obligation for athletes and cricketers to make the best options at the best times and that's what our education had to do with.
"We're still going to have individuals make the incorrect choices and we're still going to have human mistake.
"The greatest part for us if that does occur is that we're able to pick them up."
The report states more than half of the issues impacting players connect to low mood, anxiety and psychological assistance.
"We've got to make sure the support mechanisms are in location which individuals are not afraid to actually put a hand up and state I'm struggling," Stewart stated.
"It's constantly existed. It always will exist because it's such a result-based organization. This is where you've got to get the balance."
Cricket
Get cricket news sent directly to your phone