Ben Stokes, former England captain, has stated that it is not right that only England is blamed for having an alcohol-drinking problem. He stated that cricket as a sport has a relationship with alcohol that has been embedded in the culture across all levels of sport.
Stokes' comments were made in light of a recent disciplinary incident in which he was suspended for one Test for violating the team curfew during England's series against New Zealand.
After a late-night outing, Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson were benched by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the second Test.
The incident led the ECB to impose more stringent drinking regulations for England players, even though an investigation ultimately absolved both players of any additional misconduct and they returned for the third Test. Stokes returned to the England team for the third Test and announced his retirement from all cricket after the series ended.
The 35-year-old reflected on cricket's long-standing relationship with alcohol just weeks after announcing his retirement from international cricket. He appeared on a podcast with ex-England teammates Stuart Broad and Jos Buttler.
During the conversation, Broad put forth a question: Does England cricket have a drinking problem?
"No, I mean, that's such an extreme thing to put on a team. I think cricket has just a drinking culture, and it hasn't changed. We are in 2026 now, where the game has gone more professional over the years. One thing that has just stayed within cricket is its relationship with alcohol, from club cricket all the way up," Ben Stokes said on the For The Love of Cricket podcast.
Stokes said that, despite significant changes in nutrition, medical assistance, and athlete preparation, cricket's traditional relationship with alcohol persists.
"It's been embedded within the sport. The relationship between alcohol and cricket is something that hasn't moved on as the game has become more professional. There's been more science, medicine and nutrition information. So people think England cricket has a culture with alcohol, but I would say no, cricket has a culture associated with alcohol," he added.
Stokes retired from international cricket after playing 122 Tests, 114 ODIs, and 43 T20Is for England.
