Watch: "It can be a problem" — Ben Stokes's big revelation on alcohol culture in cricket

The former England all-rounder, Ben Stokes, has explained the relationship between cricket and alcohol in modern times for the very first time since he retired from international cricket after the third Test of the three-match series against New Zealand at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. 

The drinking issue after the opening Test at Lord’s saw the England cricket board suspending Stokes and Gus Atkinson for the second Test match at the Kennington Oval in South London. Stokes returned for the third game and announced his retirement from international cricket.

Stokes denies England has a "drinking problem" but admits the culture "hasn't changed"

In the latest interview with his former team-mates, Stuart Broad and Jos Buttler on their ‘The Love of Cricket’ podcast, Stokes was asked if the team had a drinking problem, to which the all-rounder gave his view on that.

Watch Stokes' massive revelation on drinking culture here- 

“That is such an extreme thing to put on a team. But I think cricket has a drinking culture and that has not changed. We are in 2026 now, where the game has gone more professional over the years. But one thing that has just stayed within cricket is its relationship with alcohol, from club cricket it works its way up.” Stokes expressed in the podcast.

“That is the relationship between alcohol and cricket; it has not moved on as the game has become more professional. There’s more science and medicine, more nutritional information, more this and that. One thing that has been a constant, and has been for a very long time, is the relationship with alcohol.” He added.

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The Durham player had several ups and downs with alcohol-related issues across his career. He was arrested in Bristol in 2017 while being drunk after an ODI against the West Indies.

“I think it can be a problem. If you look at everything over the years, a lot of people who have been involved within cricket have had bad relationships with alcohol. I don’t know what you do to change it.” He added.

The revelation comes in his first interview since his shock retirement from international cricket

Stokes highlighted that he would have still taken his team for a mid-Ashes trip in 2025/26 to Queensland seaside resort of Noosa, despite the scrutiny of their drinking there.

“There is a relationship with alcohol that has been the same since the 1980s, as the game has got better and better, that has stayed around. That is my opinion on cricket and alcohol.” He said on the same podcast.

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The England veteran also revealed his desire to coach England in the future if he gets the opportunity. 

“I’m doing my level three coaching now while I’m still playing, because I want, when the day comes that I’m not playing anymore, I’d love to be able to have all that stuff signed off and done.” He concluded.