England cricket players have received new guidelines advising them to abstain from alcohol consumption the day following a match. This recommendation comes in light of a recent incident during the summer season.
Following a victorious first Test against New Zealand, cricketers Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were found staying out past midnight at Rex Rooms in west London, despite a midnight curfew imposed by England post the winter Ashes series due to previous drinking-related issues.
During their late-night outing, Atkinson was involved in an altercation with a Saracens academy rugby player, resulting in injuries to England’s security guard, James Shaw. Subsequently, Stokes and Atkinson were dropped from the team for the second Test.
The England management expressed disappointment over the incident, attributing Atkinson’s lack of awareness of the curfew to a need for clearer rules. In response, managing director Rob Key hinted at the possibility of a complete alcohol ban but revised the alcohol policy instead, sharing it with the players ahead of the second Test.
Stokes decided to retire from international cricket after making a comeback for the third Test. The Telegraph reported on the updated alcohol rules, which now mandate adherence to a midnight curfew during England men’s home series and tours. The policy prohibits players from displaying signs of alcohol influence in public or sharing alcohol-related content on social media.
Furthermore, players must inform team management or security if they plan to be outside the team hotel after 10 pm. The revised guidelines also stipulate a ban on alcohol consumption from the day prior to a match until the day after its conclusion, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing preparation, recovery, and professionalism.
Approval from the team management is required for any public alcohol consumption, while private alcohol consumption is strongly discouraged during the specified period. These rules aim to safeguard players, uphold the reputation of cricket in England and Wales, and optimize player performance.