England’s men’s players now face a much stricter alcohol policy following the nightclub controversy involving Ben Stokes and Atkinson. The updated rules were approved by managing director Rob Key and are intended to raise professionalism, improve performances and protect the image of English cricket.
What has changed
Players may not drink alcohol in public, including in public areas of the team hotel, unless Key or head coach Brendon McCullum gives explicit permission. They are also strongly advised not to drink privately during matches, with the ECB saying preparation and recovery come first.
They must not appear intoxicated in public or post alcohol-related content on social media. A midnight curfew stays in place, and anyone leaving the hotel after 10:00 p.m. must tell team management or security and report any change of plan.
The long-standing tradition of post-match drinks has been dropped. Alcohol is not allowed immediately after a game, and the restriction lifts only the day after a Test ends.
Background to the crackdown
The midnight curfew was first introduced after England’s 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia, when concerns arose about player conduct on the tour. Incidents involving Harry Brook and, more recently, Stokes and Atkinson pushed the board to tighten things further.
Reports say ECB officials were especially disappointed by the nightclub episode, with claims that Atkinson did not know a curfew was in force.
The controversies came during a poor spell for England, who lost the home Test series against New Zealand 2-1. After that series, long-time captain Ben Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket.
