List of cricketers and alcohol-related issues: Cricket careers affected by addiction

Over the years, we have seen various cricketers bloom in their careers for brief time periods but managed to bottle it for various reasons. It is not easy for anyone of these cricketers to not get fazed by the fame and glory this game provides and that is the reason why we see very few cricketers continue to play at the highest level for more than a decade.

Consistency is the key to sticking around at this level and that consistency cannot be achieved without a steady head. It is not easy to keep the flow of thoughts completely in control with the number of activities happening around for these players and although they’re not completely to be blamed, fans expect better.

Here’s a list of some cricketers who almost or very much derailed from their path, which is to succeed at the highest level but their alcohol problems stopped them from doing so.

1. Jesse Ryder

Jesse Ryder was off to a sensational start in his International career, with the India tour of New Zealand back in 2009/10 being the turning point of his career. He looked like the big deal in attacking batsmanship, but it didn’t take long for him to be forgotten. Inside a decade from that unforgettable India visit, he completely has lost his path thanks to alcoholism.

In March 2013, he was attacked by a bunch of men in a bar in Christchurch, which almost took his life. His skull was fractured and was induced into a medical coma. He did recover from that injury and made a fairytale comeback, scoring a fantastic hundred, but alcoholism just never allowed it to happen.

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