England cricket players have been advised to abstain from alcohol consumption the day following a match as part of new guidelines introduced after a recent incident this summer.

Following a victorious first Test against New Zealand, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were found out late at Rex Rooms on King’s Road in west London, breaching the midnight curfew imposed by England post the Ashes series. A Saracens academy rugby player reportedly assaulted Atkinson, resulting in injuries to England’s security guard, James Shaw. As a consequence, Stokes and Atkinson were excluded from the second Test.

The England management expressed disappointment over the incident, clarifying that Atkinson was unaware of the curfew, prompting a review of the rules in place.

In the aftermath, managing director Rob Key hinted at a potential alcohol ban but instead updated the alcohol policy, sharing it with the players before the second Test. Stokes decided to retire from international cricket after his return for the third Test.

The new guidelines, as reported by The Telegraph, are applicable throughout an England men’s home series and tour, reinforcing the midnight curfew. Players are prohibited from displaying signs of alcohol consumption in public or posting alcohol-related content on social media. Furthermore, any outings after 10 pm must be communicated to team management or security.

The revised rules also stipulate a restriction on alcohol consumption from the day before a match until the day after its conclusion. Approval from Key or head coach Brendon McCullum is mandatory for any public alcohol consumption, with private consumption strongly discouraged to prioritize preparation, recovery, and professionalism.

The primary objective of these rules is to safeguard the players, maintain the reputation of cricket in England and Wales, and enhance player performance.