Joe Root has made it clear that a curfew will not be part of his leadership style as England’s Test captain, urging his teammates to conduct themselves like "grown adults" as they embark on his first series back in charge, this time against Pakistan. The England Test side has been dogged by a series of alcohol‑related incidents since the overseas Ashes tour in late 2025.
The most notable episode involved then‑captain Ben Stokes and newcomer Gus Atkinson, who missed the second Test at The Oval in June after they were caught breaking a team curfew and were seen in a nightclub while under the influence. The fallout from that breach saw Stokes step away from international cricket after the third Test of the series, a decision that opened the door for his return alongside Atkinson. In response to the growing concerns, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) introduced a stricter set of behavioural guidelines in July.
The document, signed by ECB managing director Rob Key, stipulated a midnight curfew, prohibited players from appearing intoxicated in public places, and required any player leaving the team hotel after 10 p.m. to notify management.
The intention was to create a clear framework that would prevent further off‑field controversies. Root, however, appears to be taking a more nuanced approach. Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, he said: "There will be no curfew. I don’t think we need to make a big deal out of this." He continued, emphasizing personal responsibility: "My view is that the players are doing their work, and if you want them to take responsibility on the field, they need to feel like mature adults who can make sensible decisions off it as well." Root added that the team itself, together with the newly appointed head coach Stephen Fleming, would manage and police behaviour.
He stressed that the focus should remain on cricketing performance rather than headline‑grabbing scandals: "We should be known for how we play cricket and what we do on the field, not for being on the back page of newspapers." He called for a culture where players understand when it is appropriate to celebrate a win with a drink and when it is time to keep a clear head for the next challenge. "We are human beings," he said, "and we should be allowed to enjoy a beer after a hard‑won victory, provided we remain sensible and remember we are playing for England." When asked for comment, the ECB confirmed that the curfew would be scrapped. A spokesperson said: "Our Test captain and coach are reviewing the standards and culture within the squad.
As part of that review the curfew will no longer be in place, and we will ensure every player knows what is expected of them ahead of the upcoming series." Despite the turbulence surrounding Stokes’ departure, Root did not rule out the possibility of the former captain returning for a future Ashes campaign. When questioned about Stokes’ potential comeback, Root replied, "I don’t know – let’s get there first," indicating that any decision would depend on form, fitness, and team dynamics. Root also expressed disappointment at the exit of former head coach Brendon McCullum, with whom he had worked closely when McCullum served as interim Test coach during the New Zealand series in June. Root admitted: "I was gutted when I learned Brendon would no longer be the Test coach.
He’s someone who has brought out the best in me personally." He praised McCullum’s cricketing philosophy and the way it broadened his own perspective: "I love the way he sees the game and how he has opened my eyes to look at it differently. He’s a brilliant coach, and I’m grateful we’ll still be working together on the white‑ball side." While McCullum remains the head coach for England’s limited‑overs teams, Stephen Fleming—McCullum’s former New Zealand teammate—has taken over as Test coach.
Root spoke highly of Fleming, noting their long‑standing mutual respect: "I’ve crossed paths with Stephen over the years when he’s coached various sides. I’ve always admired him as a player and as a leader. His record in T20 cricket is exceptional, and I’m excited about what we can achieve together." Root also reflected on a controversial decision from his first stint as Test captain: the heavy workload he gave fast bowler Jofra Archer during the 2019 New Zealand tour, where Archer bowled 42 overs in a single innings.
That spell was later linked to a string of injuries that kept Archer out of Test cricket for over four years, from 2021 to 2025. Acknowledging his past mistake, Root said he would handle Archer differently this time around: "I think at times I over‑bowled him, and the attack we have now suits him better.
There are now other options that can share the load, so I won’t rely on him as heavily as before." He praised Archer as a generational talent, confident that the paceman can still deliver match‑winning performances across all formats: "He’s a special talent, and I’m excited to work with him again. In Tests, he can do wonderful things. I didn’t get everything right the first time, but I’ve learned and I’m looking forward to seeing him thrive." Root also opened up about the personal growth he has experienced since his first term as captain.
He noted that public scrutiny of his leadership four years ago still lingers, but he believes his evolution as a player should be taken into account: "The hardest part is dealing with people’s opinions about how I captained four years ago. I’m a completely different player now.
I’ve always tried to evolve my game, and that mindset carries over to leadership." He stressed that making mistakes is part of the learning process, and that those lessons should be viewed as an advantage rather than a hindrance: "When you make errors, you reflect, you learn, and you aim not to repeat them. That should be seen as a positive, not a setback." The upcoming three‑Test series against Pakistan, scheduled to begin on 19 August, will be the first real test of Root’s new cultural blueprint. Fans can watch the matches live on Sky Sports Cricket, and the series will also be streamed via NOW for those who prefer a contract‑free viewing experience. In summary, Joe Root is steering England away from rigid curfew rules toward a model that trusts players to act responsibly as adults.
He is rebuilding team culture with the support of Stephen Fleming, while maintaining a close relationship with Brendon McCullum on the limited‑overs front. At the same time, he is mindful of past errors—particularly regarding Jofra Archer’s workload—and is committed to applying those lessons moving forward. The Pakistan series will provide a platform to showcase this refreshed approach, and the cricketing world will be watching closely to see whether the shift away from strict curfew enforcement translates into on‑field success and a healthier off‑field environment.