Alec Stewart says cricketers need to know the right time to drink

Stewart was speaking after announcing his appointment as the new chairman of the Cricketers’ Trust charity, which provides support to current and former players and their families with their health and wellbeing.

He has also been suggested as a potential candidate to replace England managing director Rob Key, although Key is expected to be given the opportunity to improve England’s fortunes.

Selector Luke Wright left his post after the Ashes and has yet to be replaced.

The charity has released a new report outlining its work, including providing mental health support to 239 current and former professional cricketers over the past five years. There was a 33% increase in therapy sessions from 667 in 2024 to 889 in 2025.

The report cites eight cases of players going into “residential rehabilitation” – receiving treatment in specialist facilities where they can stay for a period of time financially supported by the fund – for various issues including alcohol, anxiety, gambling and drug use.

Speaking about the high-profile debate over alcohol this winter, former batsman Ian Thomas, who now works for the Professional Cricketers’ Association and is a trustee of the Cricket Trust, said: “We have continued to work hard on the education front.

“It is something that exists in everyday life in society, but there is a responsibility on athletes and cricketers to make the right choices at the right times and that is what our education was about.

“We’re still making people make bad choices and we’re still going to have human errors.

“The great part for us if that happens is that we are able to catch them.”

The report says that more than half of the problems affecting players are related to low mood, anxiety and emotional support.

“We have to make sure that support mechanisms are in place and that individuals are not afraid to raise their hands and say, ‘I’m struggling,'” Stewart said.

“It’s always been there. It will always be there because it’s a results-based business. That’s where you have to get the balance.”