Ben Stokes: England Test captain gives up alcohol to help injury recovery

Stokes was found not guilty of affray in a high-profile trial in 2018, after being involved in a fight outside a nightclub in Bristol.

He told the court that he had been drinking but was not drunk.

In his podcast interview, Stokes described the differences in cricket’s drinking culture in today’s professional era compared with the past.

“In the 90s and 00s, there were unbelievable stories [about drinking]. It’s definitely settled down a lot over the years,” Stokes said.

“The game is more demanding on the body than it was then.

“There’s so much more cricket, there’s so much more in the schedule that it’s just impossible for the body to be able to withstand all of that anyway – even without the downsides of what a couple of beers at the end of the day can do to you for the next day.”

Stokes’ recent injury record – which also included knee surgery at the end of 2023 – has led to questions surrounding his future and his ability to play as an all-rounder in England’s Test side.

But he said he has been fully committed to this latest strict rehabilitation programme and has “no interest in stopping”.

In recent weeks, Stokes has posted footage on social media that has showed him bowling in training with Durham, and he hopes to play a full role against Zimbabwe.

“I think the day I wake up and can’t be bothered to do the training programme, that is getting towards the time you don’t really want it any more,” he said.

“But I haven’t got any interest in stopping.

“It’s just getting harder to do everything, hence why now I feel like I have to work so much harder away from the field, in the gym and all that kind of stuff to just give me the best chance of being out there to perform.

“But I’ll keep going as long as I possibly can.”