England Test captain Ben Stokes has given up alcohol during his hamstring rehab as he aims to be fully fit for the five-Test series against India and the Ashes showdown with Australia later this year.
The seam-bowling all-rounder has been on the sidelines since suffering a hamstring tear in New Zealand before Christmas, having previously endured a similar injury during The Hundred last August, which kept him out of England’s matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
According to The Telegraph, Stokes made a conscious lifestyle shift during his rehabilitation, acknowledging that previous late-night outings may have hindered his recovery. Since starting rehab on January 2 following surgery, he has stayed away from alcohol.
Speaking on the Untapped podcast, Stokes reflected: “When I got injured the first time, I remember wondering how it happened. I thought back to having drinks four or five nights earlier—maybe that played a part. It certainly wouldn’t have helped.”
Stokes makes a promise to himself
Determined to prioritise his recovery, the England skipper added, “I promised myself I wouldn’t drink again until I was fully recovered and back on the field.” He also highlighted the increased effort required off the pitch: “I feel like I’ve had to push harder in the gym and in training to give myself the best chance of staying fit.”
Stokes is set to return on May 22 for the one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, marking the start of England’s long and grueling summer. But the bigger test awaits with a five-match series against India and the Ashes looming. As leader and a marquee player, Stokes will need to be at his best to challenge India and build momentum heading into the high-stakes Ashes campaign.
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