'Cricketers Need to Understand Right Times To Drink'
ByMatthew Henry
BBC Sport Journalist
19 February 2026
Cricket does not have an alcohol problem but players "need to understand the time to have a beverage 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 scrutinised during their 4-1 defeat in the Tests.
The England and Wales Cricket Board investigated reports of players drinking exceedingly during a mid-series journey to Noosa, while white-ball captain Harry Brook was punched by a club 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 important," said Stewart, currently director of cricket at Surrey.
"People aren't going to just live like monks and be totally teetotal, however individuals require to comprehend the time to have a drink and the time not to.
"The higher level you are, the more scrutiny you're under and for that reason 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 drink or whatever."
'Conversation required over cricket drinking culture'
9 January
Stewart was speaking after being announced as the new president of the Cricketers' Trust charity, which supplies assistance to existing and former players and their families around their health and wellness.
He was also recommended as a possible candidate to replace England's handling director Rob Key, though Key is expected to be offered the opportunity to enhance England's fortunes.
Selector Luke Wright left his position after the Ashes and is yet to be changed.
ByMatthew Henry
BBC Sport Journalist
19 February 2026
Cricket does not have an alcohol problem but players "need to understand the time to have a beverage 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 scrutinised during their 4-1 defeat in the Tests.
The England and Wales Cricket Board investigated reports of players drinking exceedingly during a mid-series journey to Noosa, while white-ball captain Harry Brook was punched by a club 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 important," said Stewart, currently director of cricket at Surrey.
"People aren't going to just live like monks and be totally teetotal, however individuals require to comprehend the time to have a drink and the time not to.
"The higher level you are, the more scrutiny you're under and for that reason 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 drink or whatever."
'Conversation required over cricket drinking culture'
9 January
Stewart was speaking after being announced as the new president of the Cricketers' Trust charity, which supplies assistance to existing and former players and their families around their health and wellness.
He was also recommended as a possible candidate to replace England's handling director Rob Key, though Key is expected to be offered the opportunity to enhance England's fortunes.
Selector Luke Wright left his position after the Ashes and is yet to be changed.