England Test captain Ben Stokes has revealed he gave up drinking alcohol at the start of the year to speed up his recovery from a hamstring injury. The all-rounder, known for his aggressive style on the field, made the decision as part of his rehabilitation and hopes it helps him return stronger for the Ashes series against Australia.
Ben Stokes Injury Setbacks Spark Change
The 33-year-old suffered a left hamstring tear during the third Test against New Zealand, which required surgery in December and sidelined him for months. Reflecting on past injuries, Stokes told the Untapped podcast that he began questioning whether his lifestyle choices, including drinking, were affecting his performance and recovery.
“We did have a bit of a drink four or five nights ago, could that have played a part? It wouldn’t have helped,” he said.
He added, “I need to start changing what I do.”
No Drinks Since January 2
Stokes said he hasn’t had a drink since January 2 and plans to stay alcohol-free until he completes his rehab and is fully back in action. However, he admitted he doesn’t plan to be completely sober forever.
New Role with Alcohol-Free Brand
The star cricketer recently announced a partnership with zero-alcohol spirits brand CleanCo, where he has taken on the role of investor and brand partner.
Comeback Match Against Zimbabwe
Stokes is set to return to the field on Thursday as England take on Zimbabwe in a one-off Test match at Trent Bridge — his first game back since the injury.
