Ben Stokes, the captain of England’s cricket team, has opened up to Spencer Matthews in a private conversation about how he can finally enjoy ‘a glass of wine with his wife’s without becoming blinded.
Ben Stokes OBE, who is returning to lead the England Cricket Team this upcoming week, has lifted the lid in a rare and eye-opening interview about how his relationship with alcohol has changed – admitting that in his younger days, he would go all out and lose entire hours when he just ‘can’t remember what he did’.
“When I was younger, the attraction I had to drinking was that I could never see the value of being a couple. I don’t want to enter that state right now, though, as it was all or nothing. having a blast at night. The fun part of traveling there is the fact that it took two or three hours to complete, wow. He claims, “I can’t recall what I did.
Wearing his heart on his sleeve during a new episode of Spencer Matthews podcast Untapped, out on Monday 19 May, Ben – who lives in Castle Eden, County Durham with his wife Clare Ratcliffe and their two children Layton, 12, and Libby, 9, confessed: “I’m not sober but I haven’t had a drink in ages… I can have a social drink, now.”
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He blatantly admits that his seven-year marriage was impacted by his previous drinking habits. My wife Claire was upset that I would just be all or nothing because of it. She only wanted to share a glass of wine with her husband if we had a nice dinner, but I never fully understood why it was so frustrating. I’m getting it now. Not just to make me angry, but instead, I am aware of it and can appreciate it for what it is.
Ben has binned alcohol during his recent injury rehab in a determined effort to be at the top of his game for England this season. The England Test captain is poised to return to action on Thursday in a one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, having been out of the game since December with a torn left hamstring sustained in New Zealand.
Stokes has meticulously followed a managed recovery plan post-surgery in an effort to avoid repeating his previous mistakes of recovering from a similar injury. The 33-year-old said in response to the podcast: “I remember the shock of it after the initial adrenaline stopped, and I was like, “How has this happened? ” Could there have been a reason we had a little alcohol four or five nights ago? It wouldn’t have been helpful, “.
Then I thought, “OK, I need to start changing what I do.” I haven’t had a drink since January 2; I don’t think I’ll ever be completely sober. I said to myself, “Not until I recover from my injury rehab and get back on the field.”
The sporting star also admits that the culture of alcohol in cricket has completely changed in the last couple of decades. “In the 90s and 00’s there were unbelievable stories (about drinking). It’s one of these things with cricket, you have a hard day in the dirt and, and then have a couple of beers with your mates in the dressing room and then you go again”, he says.
“Over the years, it definitely has settled down.” The body is more physically demanding than it was. It’s just impossible for the body to withstand all that without the negative effects of a few beers at the end of the day. There is so much more cricket, there is so much more to be had. Some of the team members are non-drinkers.
He continues, “No drinking is a different stigma now. It’s completely different now, and the younger generation doesn’t have the same mindset when it comes to drinking beer or going out. More emphasis is placed on proper recovery and preparation. There are also changes in society today in regards to everything. I have a 12- and 10-year-old, as well as any opportunities (on their phones), just like social media. Please just get off your phone, I’m like. In front of your eyes, there is a change taking place.
Where can I find Ben Stokes’ full interview on UNTAPPED with Spencer Matthews on Monday, May 19th, or wherever you can get your podcasts.
Source: Mirror
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