Some cricketers have faced controversies involving alcohol, impacting their careers and public image. This list highlights five players whose off-field incidents, linked to alcohol, sparked media attention, disciplinary actions, and debates within the cricketing world
5. MONTY PANESAR
Monty Panesar became England’s number one spinner following Ashley Giles’ retirement but his drinking habits led to his downfall. He was fined for urinating in public near the Shooshh Club at King’s Road Arches, Brighton, on 5 August 2013. According to the Sun newspaper, Panesar was told to leave the club because he was harassing women, and he later urinated from the promenade above the venue on to bouncers standing below. He played his last international match in 2013 and it looks that his career is almost over.
4. ANDREW FLINTOFF
England was defeated by New Zealand in the opening match of the World Cup in 2007. On the evening of England’s defeat, Flintoff was indulged in some late night drinking in a night club along with fellow players. In the early hours of the morning, he reportedly had to be rescued after falling off a pedalo – this quickly became known in the media as the “Fredalo” incident. Flintoff and the others involved were reprimanded and fined and with Flintoff being stripped of the vice-captaincy and, in addition, he was suspended for the match against Canada.
3. BEN STOKES
He was sent home from the Lions tour of Australia in disgrace after ignoring warnings about his drinking in 2013. Ben Stokes, the highly talented but wayward Durham allrounder, was banished for ‘unprofessional conduct’ after previously being given written warnings for his excessive behavior on tour. ‘I would like to apologize for the way in which I acted. I am determined to bounce back from this situation and I regret my actions off the field. I look forward to getting back to my county to begin pre-season,’ he had said after being sent home by the management.
2. GARY BALANCE
England batsman Gary Ballance was warned over his conduct by the then coach Peter Moores after pictures emerged of him topless in a Nottingham nightclub during a boozy night in 2014. The England and Wales Cricket Board had said that Ballance was reminded of his responsibilities by Moores in the build-up to the second Test against India at Lord’s after he was pictured dancing in the nightclub and was then, according to an eyewitness, carried out drunk.
1. LIAM PLUNKETT
Liam Plunkett, the England cricketer, was banned from driving for a second time after he was caught behind the wheel more than two times over the legal alcohol limit in 2012. Plunkett was taken to Durham City police station, where he was tested and found to have 74mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, over double the legal limit of 35mg. Plunkett was previously convicted of drink driving in February 2007 and was banned for 20 months.