'Cricket has an alcohol culture, not just England': Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes believes cricket's drinking culture is deeply embedded across all levels. He stated this culture has not changed despite increased professionalism in the sport. This discussion follows a recent disciplinary issue involving team curfew breaches. Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson faced suspension for a late-night outing. The ECB subsequently introduced stricter alcohol guidelines for…
Former England Test captain Ben Stokes has rejected the notion that England alone harbors a drinking problem, asserting that alcohol has been deeply ingrained in cricket's culture across all levels of the sport. In a recent interview on the For The Love of Cricket podcast alongside former teammates Stuart Broad and Jos Buttler, Stokes reflected on cricket's longstanding association with alcohol just weeks after announcing his retirement from international cricket.
Broad posed the question of whether England cricket has a drinking problem, to which Stokes disagreed, emphasizing that the issue extends far beyond the national team. He maintained that cricket has a drinking culture, unchanged since 2026, when the game has become more professional. Stokes highlighted that despite advancements in nutrition, medical support, and athlete preparation, the sport's traditional relationship with alcohol persists.
He noted that while there has been more scientific, medical, and nutritional information available, the connection between alcohol and cricket remains unaltered.
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