Stokes gave up alcohol for latest injury recovery

England Test captain Ben Stokes claims he gave up drinking alcohol in the hopes that his injury-related recovery would be aided by his abstinence at the start of the year.

After tearing during the third Test match against New Zealand, Stokes, 33, underwent surgery on his left hamstring in December.

Although he was initially ruled out for at least three months, Durham has not yet made a County Championship appearance.

Starting on May 22nd, England’s one-off Test against Zimbabwe will take place at Trent Bridge.

Stokes, an all-rounder, said he has changed his approach to rehabilitation this time, including reflection on his relationship with alcohol, after a similar injury occurred last summer at The Hundred.

“I remember the shock of it after my first serious injury, and I was thinking, “How has this happened?” Stokes explained the story to Spencer Matthews’ Untapped podcast.

We did have a little bit of a drink four or five nights ago, I thought. Could that have been a factor? It wouldn’t have been helpful.

Then I thought, “OK, I need to start changing what I do.”

Stokes claimed that since the beginning of January, he hasn’t had an alcoholic beverage.

He added that he has learned to manage his behavior with alcohol and that it’s unlikely that he will ever completely give up it.

He claimed to be drinking but not being sober.

Stokes discussed the differences between the drinking habits of cricket in the modern, professional era in his podcast interview.

There were unbelievable stories about drinking in the 1990s and 2000s. Over time, it’s definitely settled down, Stokes said.

The body is more physically demanding than it was then.

It’s just impossible for the body to withstand all that, according to the statement, “even with the drawbacks of what a few beers at the end of the day can do to you for the next day.” There is so much more cricket, there is so much more in the schedule.

Stokes’ recent injury history, which included knee surgery at the end of 2023, has raised questions about his future and ability to play all-around in England’s Test team.

He added, however, that he had no desire to stop and that he had fully committed himself to this most recent strict rehabilitation program.

Stokes hopes to play a full role against Zimbabwe after posting footage of him bowling in training with Durham on social media in recent weeks.

He said, “I think the moment I wake up and can’t seem to stop doing the training program is approaching when I don’t really want it any more.”

“But I don’t want to stop, I think.”

“It’s just getting getting harder to do everything,” says the author, “so why do I feel like I have to work so much harder away from the field, in the gym, and all that stuff” to give me the best chance of performing.”