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The England national cricket team recently defeated the India national cricket team in a 5-match T20I series, winning the series 4–0 with one match being washed out due to rain. The Three Lions did not give the T20 World Cup champions any chance to compete, at least in the shorter format of the game. Head coach Brendon McCullum’s next assignment is a three-match ODI series against India.
Before the ODI series starting on Tuesday, July 14 at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham, head coach McCullum has issued new rules for the cricketers. He has now relaxed the new drinking guidelines imposed on his England players following their series win over the Men in Blue.
“Can drink beer” – Brendon McCullum gives permission to England players to party
According to Cricinfo quotes, Brendon McCullum said that the players performed really well and that they have the right to enjoy Saturday night and drink beer “as long as nobody gets on the front page”.
Brendon McCullum said, “For a start, we don’t have a lot of people who actually drink,” McCullum said, “but anyone who wants a beer can have a beer, yes. The guidelines are in place. People are very aware of the guidelines. They’ve been sent around. The policy is designed to make sure people are looked after and making the right decisions.”
“I have full confidence in the players. All the information is there. You still have to feel the warmth of success and if you’re one of those guys who likes a beer, tonight is a great opportunity to be able to enjoy yourself – as long as it’s sensible, and it’s not extreme – and let it sink in what you’ve achieved over the last ten days or the way you want to.”
“But everyone is very aware of [the guidance] And I think we’ll have a quiet beer and let it come – as long as nobody gets on the front page,” Brendon McCullum said.
Why was Ben Stokes suspended?
However, he referred to the rules that were introduced during the England vs New Zealand Test series, as there was a midnight curfew which was breached by then England captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson, who went to a nightclub to celebrate their victory after the first Test and were involved in a physical altercation with a former rugby player.
After this, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) officials became angry with both the cricketers and suspended them for the second Test match. Ultimately, both returned for the third and final Test match, with Ben Stokes announcing his retirement following the controversy.
England’s new alcohol rules for cricketers
Following the incident, England players received revised guidelines on the team’s alcohol policy later in the Test series, the Telegraph reported on Friday. This included a recommendation that “no alcohol should be consumed” between the day before the match and the day after it ends, with Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key given permission to override the guidelines.
The new curfew for England players earlier this year included England white-ball captain Harry Brook, who was fined after being punched by a bouncer while attempting to enter a late-night party the night before an ODI in Wellington.