The England men's cricket team has been issued strict guidelines strongly recommending that no alcohol be consumed on the day before, during, or the day immediately after a match, Daily Telegraph reported on Friday (July 10).

Following a 4-1 Ashes debacle in Australia, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) introduced a midnight curfew to combat a perceived drinking culture.

However, there was a fresh controversy during England’s recent 1-2 series defeat to New Zealand at home.

Ben Stokes, who called time on his international career after the series, and Gus Atkinson were dropped from the second Test at the Oval for breaching the team’s curfew at a London nightclub following England’s win in the opening Test.

While Atkinson, who lives in London, and others assumed the curfew did not apply once a game had concluded, the report claims that in the wake of that incident the players had been issued with new guidelines confirming the midnight curfew is in effect on every day of a series at home or tour.

Moreover, players are also advised to avoid alcohol on match days and the days immediately before and after games.

However, head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key have the discretion to relax these restrictions for specific celebrations.

That would enable players the freedom to celebrate a win or maintain traditional courtesies like post-match drinks with the opposition at the end of an Ashes series.

It is pertinent to mention the directives apply only to the England senior men’s teams, and England women do not have formal regulations on alcohol.