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The England National Cricket Team recently outplayed the India National Cricket Team in the 5-match T20I series, winning the series 4-0, with one match being washed out. The Three Lions gave no chance to the T20 World Cup champions to at least compete in the shorter format of the game. Head coach Brendon McCullum’s next assignment is a three-match ODI series against India.
Ahead of the ODI series, which starts on Tuesday, July 14 at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham, head coach McCullum has dropped new rules for the cricketers. He has now relaxed the new drinking guidelines imposed on his England players dominating series win over the Men in Blue side.
"Can have a beer"- Brendon McCullum allows England players to have a party
As per the quotes from Cricinfo, Brendon McCullum stated that the players performed really well and they have the right to enjoy and have a beer on Saturday night "as long as no-one lands on the front page".
Brendon McCullum stated, "For a start, there's not many of our guys that actually drink," McCullum said, "but anyone that 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 that people are being looked after and making the right decisions."
"I trust the players completely. All the information is there. You still have to feel the warmth of success and if you are someone that likes a beer, then tonight is a great opportunity to be able to enjoy yourself - as long as it's sensible, and it's not to excess - and allow something that you've achieved over the last ten days or so sink in the way that you want it to.
"But everyone's very aware of it [the guidance] and I think we'll have a quiet beer and just let this one land - just as long as no-one lands on the front page," added Brendon McCullum.
Why was Ben Stokes suspended?
However, he mentioned the rules which 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 pacer 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 that, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) officials were furious with both cricketers and suspended them for the second Test match. Eventually, both returned to the third and final Test match, with Ben Stokes announcing his retirement after 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, as reported by the Telegraph on Friday. It featured a recommendation that "no alcohol should be consumed" between the day before a match and the day after it ended, as well as allowing Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key to override the guidelines.
The new curfew for England players earlier this year which involved England’s white-ball skipper 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.
