Cricketers Career Affected By Alcohol Addiction: Over the years, many cricketers have shown great capability but failed to maintain it for various reasons. The fame and glory of the game can distract them, making it hard for them to stay at the top for long. Stability is crucial, and it requires a steady mind.

Here’s a list of cricketers whose alcohol issues hindered their success:

Jesse Ryder

Jesse Ryder started his International career with a bang during the New Zealand tour of India in 2009/10. He showed great promise in attacking batting but soon faded away due to alcoholism. In March 2013, he was attacked in a bar, suffering severe injuries. Although he recovered and made a brief comeback, alcoholism prevented a lasting return.

Ben Stokes

In 2017, Ben Stokes and teammate Alex Hales were involved in a bar fight in Bristol, leading to them missing the Ashes. Stokes lost several sponsorships and struggled with his form afterward. He also apologized for mocking Katie Price’s disabled son in jail. Despite these issues, Eoin Morgan trusted him, and Stokes shone in the 2019 World Cup.

Monty Panesar

Monty Panesar, a former England left-arm spinner, had great moments in his career, especially during England’s historic 2-1 Test series win in India. Unfortunately, his career was affected by drinking issues. Panesar was often found partying too much, and one infamous incident involved him urinating on bouncers outside a London bar. He didn’t play international cricket after 2013.

Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting, one of the greatest cricketers, faced alcoholism issues early in his career. In 1999, he admitted to his problem after a nightclub incident near Sydney, where he got a black eye but had no memory of it. This led to his removal from the ODI squad. Unlike some, he addressed his issues and overcame them.

Liam Plunkett

Liam Plunkett represented England in the 2007 ICC World Cup. He struggled with inconsistency but made a comeback under Eoin Morgan’s leadership, becoming a key player in England’s ODI team. Plunkett was banned twice by the ECB for drinking and driving, first in 2007 and again in 2012, facing bans from driving for 20 and 40 months respectively.

Gary Ballance

In the 2014 Test series, Gary Ballance shined for England against India, showing great potential in international cricket. However, his performance soon declined. In 2014, he was seen partying topless with a beer, leading to a warning from the English board and coach Peter Moores. His last international game was in 2017, and he is still trying to return.

James Faulkner

When James Faulkner became famous, people thought he would be the next great all-rounder in cricket. He was excellent with both bat and ball and did well in the IPL for the Rajasthan Royals, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker one season.

However, in 2015, he was caught drinking and driving in Manchester while playing for Lancashire. He was arrested, and though he wasn’t banned, he lost his spot in the Australian team.

David Warner

David Warner is one of the top cricketers of this generation. Known for his solidity, he has amazed many experts. Despite facing non-cricketing controversies, Warner worked hard to excel in all formats. One memorable incident is the 2013 Birmingham bar row where he punched Joe Root. After that, Warner avoided alcohol for two years until 2016.

Andrew Flintoff

Andrew Flintoff, a famous English cricketer, had his career cut short by injuries. Known for his excellent all-round skills, he had memorable moments in the Ashes series. Some experts feel he didn’t reach his full potential. After retiring, Flintoff spoke about his struggles with alcohol, admitting it made him act foolishly. He now drinks less and has mixed feelings about sports psychology.