England cricket players have been advised to refrain from consuming alcohol the day after a match, following the release of new guidelines prompted by a recent incident. The incident occurred post the first Test match of the season against New Zealand when Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were found out late at night despite a midnight curfew that was put in place after previous drinking-related issues during the Ashes series.
During their night out at Rex Rooms on the King’s Road in west London, Atkinson was involved in an altercation with a Saracens academy rugby player, resulting in injuries to England’s security guard, James Shaw. Consequently, Stokes and Atkinson were excluded from the second Test match.
The England management expressed frustration over the incident, emphasizing the need for clearer rules and regulations. Managing director Rob Key proposed the idea of a complete ban on alcohol but settled on updating the existing alcohol policy, which was shared with the players before the second Test.
Following the incident, Stokes decided to retire from international cricket after making a comeback in the third Test. The revised alcohol rules, as reported by The Telegraph, now strictly enforce a midnight curfew for England men’s home series and tours. Players are prohibited from appearing under the influence of alcohol in public or posting alcohol-related content on social media.
Additionally, players must inform team management or security if they are outside the team hotel after 10 pm. The new regulations also restrict alcohol consumption from the day before a match until the day after the match has concluded. Any alcohol consumption must be approved by Rob Key or head coach Brendon McCullum, with a strong recommendation against private alcohol consumption during this period to prioritize preparation, recovery, and professionalism.
The updated rules aim to safeguard the players, maintain the reputation of cricket in England and Wales, and enhance player performance.