England bring in major alcohol restrictions after Stokes-Atkinson's nightclub controversy

England have introduced fresh regulations surrounding the consumption of alcohol after Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were involved in a nightclub melee after their first Test match against New Zealand last month. 

One of the major new rules under the policy, signed off by Managing Director Rob Key, prohibits players from consuming alcohol in public, including hotels, unless Key or head coach Brendon McCullum suggest otherwise. According to The Telegraph Sport, the new policy has been introduced to protect players, the reputation of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the game, and enhance their on-field performances.

It also makes a drastic change to an existing rule, forbidding players from having alcohol even after the game is over, something that used to be a ritual to enjoy a post-match drink. This means that if a Test match ends in five days, the alcohol ban would be lifted a day after the game is concluded. 

The rules under the new policy can be seen below, via The Telegraph Sport. 

• The midnight curfew is in place
• Players cannot appear under the influence of alcohol in public, or post on social media about any “alcohol-related material or activities”
• Players must inform the team management or security if they are out of the hotel after 10 pm, including changes of plan.
• "We recommend that no alcohol be consumed"
• Players cannot drink at all in public, including public areas of the team hotel, unless "specifically approved by Key or head coach Brendon McCullum"
• Players are “strongly discouraged” from consuming alcohol in private in this period because “preparation, recovery and professionalism must take priority."

The ECB introduced a midnight curfew after England's 4-1 Ashes defeat to Australia in the winter. The measures were brought in after the team were seen having a drink in Noosa, Queensland, in the middle of the series, adding to Harry Brook's altercation with a nightclub bouncer in Wellington, New Zealand. 

According to the aforementioned source, the ECB were extremely upset with Stokes and Atkinson's antics, with the latter not even knowing that a curfew was in place.

Amongst all the off-field controversies surrounding England's recent home series against the Black Caps, the Three Lions suffered a 2-1 defeat, resulting in captain Stokes retiring from international cricket altogether.