Ben Stokes, captain of the England Test team, has taken a risk by abstaining from alcohol while recovering from a hamstring injury in an attempt to get back to his peak form. Stokes took into consideration a critical summer for English cricket before making the decision, bearing in mind his body, career, and leadership role.
The 33-year-old tore his left hamstring during the Test series in New Zealand, necessitating surgery in December 2024. A similar ailment sustained by the southpaw at The Hundred in August had previously prevented him from playing for England in their next two games against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Stokes disclosed that in order to facilitate his most recent recovery, he had abstained from alcohol since January 2.
“I recall the initial adrenaline rush and the shock of my first serious injury, asking myself, ‘How has this happened?'” Could the fact that we had a little drink four or five nights prior have contributed? It would have done no good. Then I realised that I needed to start altering my behaviour.
Although I doubt I’ll ever be totally sober, I haven’t taken a drink since January 2. “Not until I get back on the pitch and finish my injury rehab,” I told myself. That moment when you decide you no longer want to do the training is approaching when I wake up and can’t bring myself to do it. However, I have no desire to stop,” he stated on the Untapped podcast.
I have to work so much harder away from the field: Ben Stokes
The decision by the English captain is a significant shift for a cricket player whose alcohol use has already been in the news, as seen by the 2017 Bristol incident that resulted in a high-profile legal battle. He was exonerated of the charges, but the incident has affected him ever since. The all-rounder is currently more concerned with durability and reliable play, though.
Ben Stokes continued, “I feel like in order to give myself the best chance of being out there, I have to work so much harder away from the pitch, in the gym and all that.”
On May 22, Stokes is anticipated to make his comeback in a one-off Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge to kick off the England international summer. Stokes’ biggest obstacle, though, will be the Ashes and the five-Test series against India later this year.
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