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Stokes rejects drinking problem
Former England captain Ben Stokes rejected claims that England Cricket has a drinking problem, saying on the For the Love of Cricket podcast that "No, I mean, that's such an extreme thing to put on a team."
“No, I mean, that's such an extreme thing to put on a team”
Stokes argued that cricket’s link to alcohol has persisted as the game has become more professional, telling the podcast: "I think cricket has a drinking culture and it hasn't changed."
He said the relationship runs "from club cricket all the way up" and described it as embedded in the sport even as there is "more science, medicine and nutrition information."
Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket in June during England’s third and final Test against New Zealand, and the BBC said he made the remarks weeks after missing England’s second Test following a London nightclub incident involving him and bowler Gus Atkinson.
The BBC also tied the drinking debate to England’s Ashes tour, noting a midnight curfew was introduced after the Ashes and updated to advise players to avoid drinking alcohol on the day before and the day after matches.
Curfew, nightclub incident
The BBC said Stokes missed England’s second Test against New Zealand after an incident in a London nightclub involving him and Gus Atkinson, and it described that as the latest in a series of off-field episodes.
WION reported that after England beat New Zealand in their Test series opener at Lord’s by 115 runs, Stokes and Gus Atkinson were out partying in a London nightclub where they got involved in an altercation that led to an ECB security guard suffering injuries.
WION added that the ECB and Cricket Regulator launched separate probes and suspended Stokes and Atkinson indefinitely, before an investigation concluded with them being given a clean chit and spared a written warning.
The BBC said Stokes was found not guilty of affray in a high-profile trial in 2018 after being involved in a fight outside a nightclub in Bristol, and it quoted him saying he gave up alcohol for a period when recovering from injury in 2025.
In the same BBC account, Stokes said he previously learned to manage his behaviour with alcohol, and he told the podcast: "I think it can be a problem. I don't know what you do to change it."
Coaching and leadership
As he addressed the drinking debate, Stokes also looked ahead to life after international cricket, telling the For the Love of Cricket podcast that he would love to become coach of England.
“I'm doing my level three coaching now while I'm still playing”
The BBC quoted him saying, "I'm doing my level three coaching now while I'm still playing," and it added that he wants the qualification signed off when he is no longer playing.
WION likewise said Stokes announced his shock international retirement in June this year and described his plan to remain involved in the sport through coaching.
Stokes also dismissed speculation about a return for the 2027 Ashes, and the BBC reported that when asked whether he had definitely retired, Stokes said: "Definitely".
In the BBC’s account of the leadership transition, it noted that Stokes expressed surprise at Harry Brook not replacing him as England Test captain and quoted Stokes saying: "What message is that sending to him?"
