'Cricketers Need To Understand Right Times To Drink'

ByMatthew Henry
BBC Sport Journalist


19 February 2026


Cricket does not have an alcohol problem however gamers "need to understand the time to have a beverage and the time not to", says former England captain Alec Stewart.


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


The England and Wales Cricket Board investigated reports of players drinking excessively 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 improve anybody's performance so this is why the education is so important," said Stewart, presently director of cricket at Surrey.


"People aren't going to simply live like monks and be entirely teetotal, but individuals need to understand the time to have a beverage and the time not to.


"The greater level you are, the more analysis you're under and therefore the sacrifices are higher and therefore be very 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 announced as the new president of the Cricketers' Trust charity, which offers support to current and former players and their households around their health and wellbeing.


He was also suggested as a possible candidate to replace England's managing director Rob Key, though Key is expected to be provided 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 launched a brand-new report to detail its work, consisting of supplying mental health assistance to 239 existing and former professional 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 eight cases of players going into "property rehabilitation" - getting treatment in expert facilities at which they can stay for a time period supported financially by the trust - for different concerns consisting of to alcohol, anxiety, gaming and drug abuse.


Discussing the prominent conversation around alcohol this winter season, previous batter Ian Thomas who now works at the Professional Cricketers' Association and is a Cricketers' Trust trustee said: "We've to strive on the education front.


"It's something that's in daily life in society, however there is a duty for professional athletes and cricketers to make the best options at the best times which's what our education was about.


"We're still going to have people make the incorrect choices 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 states over half of the issues impacting players relate to low mood, stress and anxiety and emotional support.


"We have actually got to make sure the support systems are in place which people are not scared to really put a hand up and state I'm struggling," Stewart stated.


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


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