Alec Stewart has dismissed suggestions he could play a role in England’s post Ashes reset, stating there is no vacancy to address.
The former England captain has returned to his position as Surrey director of cricket after stepping away to care for his late wife. He has also been appointed president of the Cricketers’ Trust, the charitable arm of the Professional Cricketers’ Association.
Speculation has linked Stewart with a potential role if England seek new off field leadership after defeat in Australia. He declined to entertain the prospect while supporting the England and Wales Cricket Board review into tour planning, preparation, performance and behaviour.
“There’s no jobs available so it’s a question that is not going to get answered,” he said.
“I’ve come back into (Surrey) and got my feet under the desk again here but it’s a question I can’t answer because there isn’t a job to say yes or no to. All I want is Surrey to be the best and England to be the best. Simple.”
On the review into the Australian tour, which followed reports of heavy drinking and limited preparation time, Stewart said: “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 and if they go, ‘no if we had that time again we’d do exactly the same’, good on them. If they go, ‘do you know what? We would’ve done a few things differently’, then they’ve learned and they’ll correct it for the next tour.”
Stewart succeeds David Graveney as president of the Cricketers’ Trust. A five year impact report covering 2021 to 2025 shows the trust delivered mental health support to 239 current and former players at a cost of £489,000, almost half of its overall expenditure. Its work also addresses substance abuse, addiction, bereavement and employment support for players leaving the game.
The family of Graham Thorpe, Stewart’s former Surrey and England team mate who took his own life in 2024, are among those assisted by the trust.
“Sadly Thorpe’s no longer with us, but what the trust did and is doing for the Thorpe family is outstanding,” said Stewart.
“He was a high-profile player but 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.
“Anything I can do, I’ll do. We’ll always have to rescue people and support people but it’s about education. 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.”