[This article originally appeared in my Substack feed, on 13th March 2026.]
An odd confluence of articles and posts in my social and news feeds, back in March.
All interesting, in their own right, but with a linking thread of alcohol.
And that’s without mentioning Noosa, nor the Kiwi bouncer.
Does cricket in England have a problem with alcohol?
Alcohol and the women’s game
Lauren Winfield Hill speaking with Katya Witney on the Wisden Women’s Cricket podcast, specifically about sexual harassment of women players —Winfield Hill does seem to suggest that “quite a lot of it” is because coaches are going drinking and clubbing with players…”
Some discussion of this post on Bluesky, coinciding as it did with the first auction for the Women’s Hundred, the visibility (virtual invisibility) of women actually in the auction room.
Alcohol in the (men’s) professional game
George Dobell, in his interview (it will be paywalled) with James Thomas as he enters his second year after being appointed as Warwickshire’s Performance Director, received a very straight answer to a question about diet and alcohol: “they shouldn’t be drinking”!
This from someone with a background in Olympic sports and the Premier League. Pretty unequivocal.
The traditional view — part 1
Andrew Snowden, MP, via his Facebook feed, on how his local cricket club is so reliant on bar takings.
In truth, I sympathise with Snowden’s sentiment — both about the challenge of running a cricket club that depends on bar takings to stay afloat, and of enjoying a beer (not cold, though).
And I do recall, when the ECB first launched the All Stars programme for 5-8 year olds, how the programme was promoted to Clubs as a way to bring in more trade over the bar, from parents waiting for their All Stars to finish.
But is this in any way a sustainable model for recreational sport?
MCC in search of a new official beer supplier — part 2
Lord’s, the home of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), was founded by Thomas Lord, a cricket professional and publican. Tellingly, perhaps, the Tavern was built at the “new” ground (1813-14) before the pavilion!
Lord’s Cricket Ground has ended its official partnership with BrewDog early after the craft beer giant was sold to US drinks and cannabis firm Tilray Brands.
Few worries for the MCC members in 2026: “…existing relationships with Adnam’s and Thornbridge, who provide real ale options around the grounds, remain unchanged.”
Does cricket have an alcohol problem?
According to an experienced sports performance professional from outside cricket unequivocally YES!
From an experienced professional in the women’s game, concerned for her younger team mates — YES.
I think there are probably occasions when a post-match drink might be appropriate. But certainly not the excesses of the past. I recall demolishing a crate of Guinness with a team mate on a rainy afternoon. Because we could.
Today, we see teams celebrating a tournament win by spraying non-alcoholic sparkling wines in place of champagne, out of respect for team mates who shun alcohol for religious or cultural reasons
Long gone are the days when fast bowlers get through a long day on the field with a pint of beer at lunch and tea…until, perhaps, someone brings to market a “re-hydration ale” with electrolytes & added protein for recovery…
But seriously. Alcohol consumption surely can’t aid sporting performance. Excessive consumption is linked to all kinds of misbehaviours.
In addition to problems with fitness & safeguarding, a drinking culture surely poses issues for inclusion. See the case of Azeem Rafiq. And, quite possibly, many other young cricketers, male or female, who just didn’t conform to the majority culture.
Is it time for cricket to step away from the booze?
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