‘Alcohol Is Embedded in Cricket’: Ben Stokes Breaks Silence on Drinking Culture, Rejects Claims Targeting England Team

Former England captain Ben Stokes has opened up about cricket’s long-standing relationship with alcohol, arguing that drinking culture is deeply rooted in the sport and should not be viewed as an issue unique to the England team.

Stokes made the remarks amid renewed scrutiny over England’s off-field conduct following a series of incidents involving players during the ongoing season.

‘Cricket Has a Drinking Culture’

Speaking on the For the Love of Cricket podcast, Stokes dismissed suggestions that England are the only team associated with alcohol-related incidents.

He said the sport has had a drinking culture for decades, stretching from grassroots cricket to the international level.“No. That is such an extreme thing to put on a team. I think cricket has a drinking culture and it has not changed.”

According to Stokes, while modern cricket has embraced advancements in sports science, nutrition and fitness, one aspect has remained largely unchanged.“We are in 2026 now, where the game has gone more professional over the years. But one thing that has stayed within cricket is its relationship with alcohol.”

He added that alcohol continues to be part of cricket culture from club-level competitions right through to the professional game.

Recent Incidents Put England Under Spotlight

The debate around alcohol in English cricket resurfaced during the Ashes after reports of players participating in binge-drinking sessions during breaks in the series.

The controversy intensified when opener Ben Duckett was reportedly seen intoxicated during the team’s mid-series break in Noosa.

More recently, Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson also came under scrutiny after celebrating England’s victory in the Lord’s Test against New Zealand.

The pair were later involved in a nightclub incident with an academy rugby player and were subsequently left out of England’s squad for the second Test.

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Reflecting on His Own Past

Stokes also acknowledged his own well-documented struggles with alcohol earlier in his career.

In 2017, the all-rounder was arrested following a late-night altercation in Bristol after an ODI against the West Indies, an incident that became one of the most controversial moments of his career.

Reflecting on the sport’s evolution, Stokes said cricket has embraced significant improvements in player welfare, recovery, and performance management, but its relationship with alcohol has remained constant.“There is more science and medicine, more nutritional information and more this and that. One thing that has been a constant for a very long time is the relationship with alcohol.”

A Wider Conversation Around Cricket Culture

Stokes’ comments have sparked fresh debate about whether cricket’s traditional social culture should evolve alongside the sport’s increasing professionalism.

While acknowledging that alcohol has historically been part of cricket, the former England skipper stressed that it should not be used to unfairly stereotype one particular team.

His remarks are likely to add to ongoing discussions about player responsibility, professionalism and the changing culture of international cricket in the modern era.