Overview

• Ben Stokes has been alcohol-free since January 2 as part of a disciplined recovery from a left hamstring tear sustained in December 2024.
• The injury, which required surgery, forced him to miss months of cricket, but his rehabilitation has been carefully managed to avoid setbacks.
• Stokes has acknowledged that his past 'all-or-nothing' drinking habits negatively impacted his fitness and strained his marriage.
• He credits his lifestyle changes, including reducing alcohol consumption, with aligning better with modern cricket's emphasis on fitness and recovery.
• Stokes will make his comeback as England captain in a one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge starting Thursday, May 22.