Ben Stokes, former England Test captain, has pushed back against claims that England alone is to blame for alcohol-related problems in cricket. During a recent conversation with former teammates Stuart Broad and Jos Buttler on the For The Love of Cricket podcast, Stokes highlighted that alcohol has long been a part of cricketing traditions. These remarks came just weeks after he officially announced his retirement from international cricket. In the aftermath of a recent disciplinary issue involving a breach of team rules.
Cricket's drinking culture
Stokes emphasized that alcohol is deeply woven into the fabric of cricket. He pointed out that this has remained consistent over time. While the game has become more professional, marked by improvements in sports science, nutrition, and medical support, the connection between alcohol and the sport has not evolved. The 35-year-old insisted the problem is not limited to just one national team. 'I think cricket has just a drinking culture and it hasn't changed,' Stokes said. He added that the relationship between alcohol and cricket has been 'embedded' throughout all levels of the game.
He further explained that despite modern advancements, the traditional link remains strong. 'People think England cricket has a culture with alcohol, but I would say no, cricket has a culture associated with alcohol,' Stokes stated. He reinforced his view that the issue is not specific to England. Rather, he said it is part of the sport's identity.
Disciplinary incident
These comments were made against the backdrop of a recent disciplinary incident. Stokes and his teammate Gus Atkinson were stood down for the second Test in a series against New Zealand. This was after a late-night outing that led to a breach of team curfew. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) responded by imposing stricter alcohol-related guidelines for players. However, an investigation later cleared both players of any further misconduct. It allowed them to return for the third Test.
Soon after the incident, Stokes stepped down from international cricket, marking the end of his distinguished career with England. While he will no longer represent his country, he has plans to continue his career in domestic and franchise cricket. His decision and comments have sparked broader conversations about the future of player behavior and the culture surrounding cricket.