England’s Test captain Ben Stokes has revealed that he gave up alcohol earlier this year in a bid to accelerate his recovery from a hamstring injury, as he eyes a return to the national side ahead of the summer home series.
The 33-year-old all-rounder, who underwent surgery following an injury sustained during the third Test against New Zealand in December, disclosed on a recent podcast that he has been sober since January.
Speaking on The Untapped podcast, hosted by former reality TV star Spencer Matthews, Stokes reflected on the toll injuries have taken on his body, suggesting that his decision to stop drinking was part of a broader effort to prolong his cricketing career.
“I need to start changing what I do,” said Stokes, who acknowledged that alcohol may have hindered his recovery from past injuries. “I haven’t touched a drop since January.”
While Stokes clarified that the move isn’t permanent, he said it marks a shift from what he described as his previous “all or nothing” approach to alcohol. “It’s not that I’ll never drink again,” he added, “but I’ve learned how to control it better.”
The England skipper’s remarks also touched on the changing nature of professional cricket’s off-field culture. Drawing a contrast with the looser norms of the 1990s and early 2000s, Stokes noted that today’s packed international calendar and increasing emphasis on fitness have left little room for post-match indulgence.
“There’s so much more cricket now… the body just can’t withstand all that—even without a couple of beers at the end of the day,” he said.
Stokes, who also underwent knee surgery in 2023, has yet to feature for Durham in the ongoing County Championship. However, he has been actively documenting his rehabilitation journey on social media, sharing regular updates from training sessions.
England are scheduled to begin their home summer against Zimbabwe in a one-off Test at Trent Bridge on May 22. Stokes remains hopeful of making his comeback in time.
“I haven’t got any interest in stopping… I’ll keep going as long as I possibly can,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to the game.
Stokes’ candid reflections come at a time when England are in the midst of a transitional phase, with several key players managing injuries and workloads. His return, especially in a fitter and more disciplined frame of mind, would offer a significant boost to the side.
