England advised to avoid alcohol around matches after off-field incidents

England’s male cricketers have been instructed to avoid alcohol around match days under newly issued behavioural guidelines. A midnight curfew was introduced after an Ashes tour marred by off‑field problems, and ambiguities surrounding the curfew were cited as a factor in the nightclub incident involving Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson. Following that episode, the England and Wales Cricket Board issued updated advice, as reported by the Telegraph. The revised policy confirms that the midnight curfew remains in effect on every day of a home or away series. It also recommends that no alcohol be consumed on the day immediately before, during, or the day immediately after a match. If a Test match lasts the full five days, the restriction extends to the following day. Head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director of cricket Rob Key retain the discretion to relax the recommendations when they deem it appropriate, allowing the team to mark victories or observe traditions such as an end‑of‑series drink after an Ashes series. Players were permitted to drink immediately after the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge to celebrate Stokes’ international retirement. The guidance applies solely to players, not to support staff. Should players choose to consume alcohol in the pre‑, match‑ or post‑match window, it must not take place in a public setting. They have also been strongly discouraged from drinking in private to aid preparation, recovery and professionalism. It has not been confirmed whether the guidelines apply only to the senior men’s squad or to all England teams, including the women’s side and pathway programmes. Regarding the curfew, players may leave camp during extended gaps between matches or when released to county duty; it remains unclear whether the curfew continues to apply in those periods.