BEN STOKES claims England stars do not have a problem with booze.
However, he does admit that cricket has a drinking culture.
Ben Stokes insists there is not a booze problem in the England dressing room Credit: PA
But the former Test skipper admitted there is a drinking culture in cricket Credit: Shutterstock
The former England captain, who announced his shock retirement from international cricket in June, also insists he “definitely” will not be back.
Stokes’ exit came weeks after he missed England’s second Test against New Zealand following an incident also involving bowler Gus Atkinson in a London nightclub.
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It was just the latest in a long line of off-field episodes involving the team – who faced accusations of excessive boozing during last winter’s Ashes, especially during the mid-series break in Noosa.
Asked whether the England team had a drinking problem, Stokes, 35, said: “No, that is such an extreme thing to put on a team.”
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His comments were part of a two-hour chat with former international team-mates Stuart Broad and Jos Buttler on the For the Love of Cricket podcast.
Stokes added: “Cricket has a drinking culture and that has not changed. We’re in 2026, where the game has gone more professional.
“But one thing that has stayed within cricket is its relationship with alcohol.
“From club cricket, it works its way up. It’s embedded within the sport. I’d just say cricket has a culture that is associated with alcohol.
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Stokes is dreaming of coaching England Credit: Reuters
“I think it can be a problem. I don’t know what you do to change it.
“I’ve had, I don’t want to say problems, but I’ve had relationships with alcohol at times over my career that have been potentially dangerous.
“But that is completely different now.
“There’s this relationship with alcohol within cricket that has been the same from the 1980s.
“As the game has got better and better, that thing has stayed around. That is my opinion on cricket and alcohol.”
Stokes has a thirst for knowledge and says he would love to coach England one day.
He is already taking badges in preparation for a career in coaching – with bossing his country the ultimate dream.
Stokes said: “I’m doing my level three coaching now while I’m still playing because I’d love to have all that stuff signed off and done.
Stokes enjoyed working with Brendon McCullum Credit: Getty
He is shocked by Joe Root’s re-appointment as Test captain Credit: Reuters
“I’ll maybe have a couple of years off, but I want to be a coach. Would I love to coach England one day? Absolutely.
“I like the idea of being in some form of leadership away from playing.
“Like I said to Baz (Brendon McCullum) when I first started as captain, ‘How good is it when you wake up and you can influence someone?’
“That’s amazing. I’d do a pretty good job and I don’t mind making big decisions for the best of the team.”
More immediately, Stokes is worried Joe Root’s re-appointment as Test skipper might bring back some of the problems that dragged the Yorkshireman down last time, when he won just one of his last 17 matches as permanent captain.
And Stokes cannot understand why Harry Brook, the official vice-captain, was not given the job after him and coach McCullum departed.
When he stood down at the end of this summer’s New Zealand Test series, Stokes “100 per cent” backed Brook to be his successor as red-ball skipper.
He has not changed his view, explaining: “If you think someone is going to be a good captain, just give it to them.
“Brooky was made vice-captain. Even when I missed that Test match when I was suspended, I was like, ‘Brooky’s vice-captain.’
“I sort of understood the reasoning but what message is that sending to him? I had no leadership experience when I took over.
Stokes reckons he should have been replaced by Harry Brook Credit: PA
The all-rounder is enjoying life away from the limelight with Durham Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
“Like Jacob Bethell, he stood out straightaway as being a natural leader as soon as he stepped into the dressing room. You can just see things in people.
“Brooky has a cricket brain. That’s what people might not understand.”
Skipper Root will lead with Stephen Fleming, who was brought in as coach to replace fellow Kiwi McCullum.
Stokes added: “I love Rooty and wish him nothing but success. He’s going to really enjoy it with Flem, who is a great man.
“My only worry is I saw what Joe went through last time as captain. Covid was a horrible time but he always put the team first.”
Stokes confirmed he quit after brooding for months on last winter’s Ashes defeat and preferring playing for Durham away from the spotlight.
Stokes will also be on the lucrative franchise circuit this winter, probably in the South African T20 and Australia’s Big Bash.
Although Durham did present him with one problem – Stokes revealed he had four metal plates and 16 screws in his face after breaking his cheekbone in the nets in February.
But he is saving his thoughts on the probe into breaking the England curfew for another time – probably in a book.
