SportCricketEngland cricket teamEngland cricketers have been hit with new guidelines surrounding their activities during and after they play matches, which makes firm suggestions regarding their alcohol intake13:47, 10 Jul 2026England cricketers have been told they should avoid drinking the day after a match as new guidelines are released in the aftermath of the latest incident this summer.‌After the first Test of the summer against New Zealand, following victory, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson stayed out after midnight at Rex Rooms on the King’s Road in west London. That came despite England introducing a midnight curfew following the Ashes series in the winter, which was overshadowed by players drinking.‌A Saracens academy rugby player “attacked” Atkinson late in the night, injuring England’s security guard James Shaw in the process, and Stokes and Atkinson were subsequently dropped for the econd Test.‌The England hierarchy were left fuming but Atkinson was not aware of the curfew and greater clarity has been sought over what rules are being imposed.In the days after the incident, managing director Rob Key suggested the idea of an outright booze ban. He stopped short of taking a stance that hard, but did update the alcohol policy, sharing it with players between the first and second Test.Stokes retired from internatonal cricket after returning for the third Test.‌The Telegraph has reported on the policy, which applies on every day of an England men’s home series and tour, and doubles down on the midnight curfew. It states that players cannot appear under the influence of alcohol in public, or post on social media about any “alcohol-related material or activities”.Team management or security must also be made aware if they are out of the team's hotel after 10pm.Article continues belowA second section has been included that stated: “In addition, from the day before the start of any match until the end of the day after that match has finished”. It also "recommends that no alcohol be consumed”Players cannot drink at all in public unless “specifically approved by Key or head coach Brendon McCullum”. It has also “strongly discouraged” them from having alcohol in private in this period because “preparation, recovery and professionalism must take priority”.The new rules state they aim to “protect the players, the reputation both of cricket in England and Wales and the ECB, and to optimise player performance”.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌England and Wales Cricket BoardEngland cricket teamBen Stokes