Cricket Mar 26, 2026

Stuart Broad: Current England squad under Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum 'do not have drinking culture'

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Stuart Broad: Current England squad under Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum 'do not have drinking culture'

Former England bowler Stuart Broad says he believes England "do not have a drinking culture," despite a number of high-profile incidents during the side's 4-1 Ashes defeat to Australia this winter. 

England lost the series in just 11 days of cricket after an error-strewn first three Tests in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide, with their lean preparation and aggressive style of cricket, plus a mid-series beach break in Noosa where they were pictured drinking, criticised.

During the series, a video posted on social media appeared to show opener Ben Duckett drunk and slurring his words and asked by a small group of people whether he knows how to get back to his hotel.

Harry Brook also apologised for "embarrassing myself and the team" after an altercation with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand during the autumn.

England managing director Rob Key promised to investigate the drinking habits of the team, following reports their mid-Ashes beach break resembled a "stag do".

"They've just had a couple of guys who have made mistakes and that's got into the media," Broad told his For the Love of Cricket Podcast.

"I think it's up to your team-mates to get you out of those situations, and that's when your culture's really strong.

"Ben Duckett isn't left alone, no idea where his hotel is. Harry Brook doesn't get himself in a situation with a bouncer, because they're not allowed anywhere near that situation. So I think that's the thing that will disappoint [head coach] Brendon McCullum.

"I really didn't like having a 12 o'clock curfew, because I just didn't feel like you should need it.

"As long as you have people around you to get yourself home at a suitable hour, having the team-mates around you to go, your time's up.

"I look at this England team, they're not drinking. I've seen loads of things about a drinking culture and we got that in 2021-22 when we left Australia.

"Crawley, Pope, and in recent times Stokes and Root - they're not really drinkers, are they? They're not party animals and going out tearing it to shreds.

"There isn't a drinking culture. I'll hang my hat on that, if I'm honest, knowing the boys as well as I do. But it is just making sure the boys don't get in trouble when situations arise."

McCullum's side began their white-ball tour of New Zealand in October, with multi-format players then heading straight to the Ashes, which ran from November 23 to January 7.

England will tour Sri Lanka from January 22, playing both one-day and T20 internationals, before the T20 World Cup begins on February 8.

"As an international player, you need some sort of release," said Broad.

"If you don't have that mental switch off - I know you [fellow podcast host Jos Buttler] say footballers don't - but cricketers are away six months of the year in hotels, it drives you mad if you don't do anything.

"We've seen Australia winning the Ashes, Travis Head's had the time of his life, living the dream, doing interviews on the wines and all sorts.

"Twelve o'clock, you're not really getting to that time that often, but if you win, you deserve to probably go and relax and enjoy yourself."

Australia win five-match series 4-1

Tags:

cricket news

Share this article

Related Posts

The Ashes: Steve Smith not thinking about retirement as Australia face England in final Test of series in Sydney

The Ashes: Steve Smith not thinking about retirement as Australia face England in final Test of series in Sydney

Australia's Steve Smith says he has no plans to follow team-mate Usman Khawaja into international retirement, increasing the prospect of one last Ashe...

The Ashes: Australia vs England, fifth Test: Updates and reaction from series finale at Sydney Cricket Ground

The Ashes: Australia vs England, fifth Test: Updates and reaction from series finale at Sydney Cricket Ground

PSG and Kvaratskhelia's stance on transfer after Arsenal interest confirmedLatest from Your Site News' Zinny Boswell: Your Site News understands...

The Ashes: Stuart Broad delivers verdict on England's bowling unit after series defeat Down Under

The Ashes: Stuart Broad delivers verdict on England's bowling unit after series defeat Down Under

England's batters have taken quite the battering after numerous collapses contributed to a fourth successive Ashes series defeat in Australia.But how...

The Ashes: Stuart Broad backs Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum to stay in England roles

The Ashes: Stuart Broad backs Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum to stay in England roles

Stuart Broad has warned that removing ECB managing director Rob Key could trigger a domino effect that puts Ben Stokes' position as England captain at...

The Ashes, Australia vs England: Lack of spin bowling has deprived fans of variety in Test series, says Michael Atherton

The Ashes, Australia vs England: Lack of spin bowling has deprived fans of variety in Test series, says Michael Atherton

We have seen plenty of action throughout an Ashes series played in fast-forward - but not much in the way of frontline spin bowling.England have not p...

England Women cricket fixtures and results 2026: T20 World Cup, India Test match at Lord's and more

England Women cricket fixtures and results 2026: T20 World Cup, India Test match at Lord's and more

Full fixtures for England's women's side in 2026, including the home T20 World Cup.All times UK and Ireland 🕰️