London: The England senior men’s cricket team has been hit with strict new behavioral guidelines-including a recommendation to completely avoid alcohol around match days-following a series of disciplinary breaches, Britain’s Daily Telegraph reported on Friday.
Under the new directives, players are advised not to consume alcohol the day before, during, or the day immediately following a match.
The tightening of rules follows ongoing controversy surrounding the team’s off-field conduct. A midnight curfew was originally implemented after a disastrous 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia, a tour heavily overshadowed by allegations of a toxic drinking culture.
However, enforcement issues resurfaced during England’s recent 2-1 home series loss to New Zealand. Following a victory in the first Test, captain Ben Stokes-who has since retired from international cricket-and fast bowler Gus Atkinson were both dropped from the second Test at the Oval after violating the midnight curfew at a London nightclub.
Part of the issue stemmed from confusion over the policy. Some players, including Atkinson (a London resident), reportedly believed the curfew was lifted once a match had concluded. In response to the nightclub incident, the updated guidelines explicitly clarify that the midnight curfew remains strictly in effect every single day of a series, whether England is playing at home or touring abroad.
Despite the stricter stance, head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key retain the authority to relax the alcohol recommendations at their discretion. This allows the squad the flexibility to celebrate significant victories or uphold long-standing traditions, such as sharing a post-series drink with opposing team at the end of an Ashes series.
Notably, these formal restrictions apply exclusively to the England senior men’s squads; the England women’s cricket team operates without any formal alcohol regulations.