Former England Test captain Ben Stokes has dismissed suggestions that England alone has a drinking problem, arguing that alcohol has long been embedded in cricket’s culture across all levels of the sport. Speaking on the For The Love of Cricket podcast with former teammates Stuart Broad and Jos Buttler, the 35-year-old reflected on cricket’s long-standing relationship with alcohol just weeks after announcing his retirement from international cricket.
‘Cricket has a culture associated with alcohol’
During the discussion, Broad put forward a question many fans have been asking in recent years: Does England cricket have a drinking problem? Stokes disagreed with the premise, insisting the issue extends far beyond one national team.“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. Stokes added that despite major advances in nutrition, medical support and athlete preparation, cricket’s traditional association with alcohol continues to exist.“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.
Comments come after disciplinary controversy
Stokes’ remarks come against the backdrop of a recent disciplinary incident that saw him suspended for one Test after breaching team curfew during England’s series against New Zealand.The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) stood down both Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson for the second Test following a late-night outing. Although an investigation later cleared both players of further wrongdoing and they returned for the third Test, the incident prompted the ECB to introduce stricter alcohol guidelines for England players.Shortly after returning to the squad, Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to his distinguished England career while continuing to pursue domestic and franchise cricket opportunities.