England Test captain Joe Root removes curfew for Pakistan series
Root’s New Approach to Team Discipline
Joe Root, the newly reinstated England Test captain, has announced the removal of the midnight curfew for his players ahead of the upcoming series against Pakistan. Root stated that his players should “be adults” and take personal responsibility for their conduct. This decision marks a shift from the stricter guidelines issued by the ECB in July, which included a midnight curfew and rules against public intoxication.
The ECB’s guidelines, signed off by managing director Rob Key, also stipulated that players should inform management if they are away from the team hotel after 10 pm. However, Root believes that curfews are ineffective. He emphasised that for players to take responsibility on the field, they must feel empowered to make mature decisions off it.
Root shared his perspective on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, explaining, “My view on curfews is that I don’t think they work, and if you want guys to take responsibility on the field, they’ve got to feel like they can be grown adults and make good, strong decisions off it.” He added that managing player behaviour is a collective responsibility for him and new head coach Stephen Fleming.
The ECB acknowledged Root’s approach, stating, “We have a Test captain and coach, who are looking at how they set team standards and culture. As part of this, the curfew will no longer be in place. We will ensure all players have a clear understanding of expectations when they come together for the upcoming Test series.”
Addressing Past Issues and Future Leadership
The decision to relax rules follows a period where the England Test team faced alcohol-related issues, particularly after the Ashes series in late 2025. Incidents included Harry Brook’s altercation in Wellington and the suspension of former captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson for breaking a curfew during a series against New Zealand in June. Stokes subsequently retired from international cricket after the third Test of that series.
Root expressed his desire for the team to be recognised for its on-field performance. He urged players to “Be adults, look after yourselves, look after each other. [We need to] create a good, strong culture where you know when the right time is to celebrate and enjoy a win or to have a sensible beer, but remember – you’ve got to play for England.”
Despite the circumstances surrounding Stokes’ departure, Root did not dismiss the possibility of his return for future Ashes series, stating, “I don’t know – let’s get there first.”
Root also reflected on his previous tenure as captain, admitting to mistakes such as over-bowling Jofra Archer. Archer bowled 42 overs in his maiden overseas match in New Zealand in November 2019, which preceded a series of injuries. Root vowed not to repeat this error, recognising Archer as a “generational talent” crucial for England across all formats.
The captain also shared his disappointment regarding the departure of former head coach Brendon McCullum, who he credited with helping him personally. McCullum remains the England white-ball head coach, with his former New Zealand teammate Stephen Fleming taking over as Test coach. Root expressed admiration for Fleming’s leadership as a player and his coaching record in T20 cricket.
Upcoming Pakistan Series Fixtures
The England vs Pakistan Test series is scheduled to begin with the first Test at Headingley from Wednesday, August 19, to Sunday, August 23, with the first ball at 11 am.
The second Test will be held at Lord’s from Thursday, August 27, to Monday, August 31, also starting at 11 am.
The series concludes with the third Test at Edgbaston, running from Wednesday, September 9, to Sunday, September 13, with play commencing at 11 am.
Source: skysports.com