Ben Stokes Says Cricket Retains Drinking Culture in 2026, Rejects Claims England Have Alcohol Problem
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 4
Ben Stokes Says Cricket Retains Drinking Culture in 2026, Rejects Claims England Have Alcohol Problem
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 4
Summary
Ben Stokes said cricket still has an embedded relationship with alcohol in 2026, but called it "extreme" to say the England team itself has a drinking problem.
The 35-year-old said the sport's drinking culture runs from club level upward and has not kept pace with cricket's growing professionalism, even if alcohol can become a problem for some players.
Stokes linked that view to his own experience, saying he has had potentially dangerous periods in his relationship with alcohol, though he stopped drinking for a time during injury recovery in 2025 and now manages it differently.
His comments come after England tightened rules following off-field incidents, including a London nightclub episode involving Stokes and Gus Atkinson, advising players to avoid alcohol the day before and after matches.
Stokes, who retired from international cricket in June after 122 Tests, also said he wants to coach England one day and backed Joe Root as captain while warning the role previously took a heavy personal toll.