Alec Stewart Dismisses England Role Speculation While Embracing New Cricketers' Trust Presidency
The former England cricket captain, Alec Stewart, has firmly dismissed ongoing speculation about a potential role in England's post-Ashes rebuild, stating unequivocally that "there isn't a job to say yes or no to". This comes as he officially begins his new ambassadorial position as president of the Cricketers' Trust, the independent charitable arm of the Professional Cricketers' Association.
Return to Cricket and Focus on Surrey
Stewart has recently resumed his duties as Surrey's director of cricket, a role he temporarily stepped away from to care for his late wife. With his feet firmly back under the desk at Surrey, he emphasised his primary focus remains on domestic success rather than national team speculation. "All I want is Surrey to be the best and England to be the best. Simple," he stated, redirecting attention to his immediate responsibilities.
ECB Review and Post-Ashes Analysis
While Stewart expressed support for the England and Wales Cricket Board's ongoing review into the disastrous Ashes campaign in Australia—a tour marred by reports of excessive drinking and inadequate preparation—he carefully avoided positioning himself as part of any potential solution. "There's no jobs available so it's a question that is not going to get answered," he reiterated, highlighting the speculative nature of the discussions.
He added perspective on the review process: "We can all have opinions but our opinions don't matter because we are not the decision makers. It's for those people who make the decisions at the ECB to review what they did." Stewart suggested the board's willingness to learn from mistakes would be crucial for future touring success.
Stepping into the Cricketers' Trust Presidency
Stewart inherits the presidency from David Graveney, taking leadership of an organisation that has positioned itself at the forefront of addressing cricket's most challenging issues. A recently published five-year impact report covering 2021-2025 reveals the trust's significant work in mental health support, having provided assistance to 239 current and former players at a cost of £489,000—representing almost half of its total expenditure during that period.
The trust's comprehensive support extends beyond mental health to include:
- Substance abuse and addiction programmes
- Bereavement counselling services
- Employment workshops for players transitioning out of professional cricket
Personal Connection and Broader Mission
Stewart spoke movingly about the trust's support for the family of his former Surrey and England teammate, Graham Thorpe, who tragically took his own life in 2024. "Sadly Thorpe's no longer with us, but what the trust did and is doing for the Thorpe family is outstanding," he remarked, illustrating the organisation's impact beyond high-profile cases.
He emphasised the trust's inclusive mission: "It's not just somebody who's played 100 Test matches, it's somebody who's played one first-class game, or was in the game, not quite good enough, and fallen on hard times. The trust is there to support those families."
Education and Strength in Vulnerability
Looking forward to his presidential role, Stewart highlighted the importance of education and destigmatising help-seeking behaviour within the cricket community. "Anything I can do, I'll do. We'll always have to rescue people and support people but it's about education," he affirmed.
He concluded with a powerful message about vulnerability: "If you put your hand up and need help, that is a sign of strength. To admit you're not perfect is a massive strength and the trust is there for you." This philosophy underpins his approach to leading an organisation dedicated to supporting cricketers through life's most difficult challenges.
