Mark Butcher has labelled a possible in-series alcohol ban for England players as 'a ridiculous suggestion'.
Speaking on Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast, Butcher said such a ban would be "the worst possible thing" in the wake of Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson breaking England's curfew while out at a Chelsea nightclub following their win in the first Test of the summer.
In response to the incident, which has seen both Atkinson and Stokes made unavailable for the second Test while an investigation takes place, Rob Key, England managing director, suggested that a complete alcohol ban could be implemented following the episode.
"Do we need to look at, actually, have [the measures] been strict enough?" said Key on Thursday. "Even when they win a game of cricket, is it now a time when there's just no alcohol at any time and at any stage? I need to think through these things, because I don't want to make a rash decision that actually hinders the team and creates a situation where they don't feel they can do anything. But the players now have to show the public that they can be trusted. At this point it's hard to say they can."
England have had to deal with several alcohol-related indiscretions over the last eight months. Harry Brook was involved in an altercation with a bouncer in New Zealand the night before an ODI, while a video of Ben Duckett intoxicated during England's mid-Ashes series break in Noosa did the rounds in December. After the Ashes defeat, England management implemented a mmidnight curfew – although Key admitted some players, including Atkinson, were not aware the curfew was in place following their win at Lord's last week.
"People might say, they’re professional athletes, they get paid very well, why are they drinking at all?" said Butcher. "All you’re doing there is you’re causing people to break the rules. You’ll be forcing people to break the rules on a regular basis and, given what’s happened this time, half the team will be suspended before the third Test. It’s a ridiculous suggestion."
The second Test of the series will take place at The Oval next week. Joe Root will take over from Stokes as captain on an interim basis, while Rob Key said he would "let the process play out" before making any decisions regarding Stokes' future as leader of the side.
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