Joe Root has made it clear that there will be no curfew imposed on the England Test side under his leadership, 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 squad has been under a cloud of alcohol‑related incidents ever since the overseas Ashes tour that concluded in late 2025. The most notable episode involved then‑captain Ben Stokes and emerging bowler Gus Atkinson, both of whom were omitted from the second Test versus New Zealand at The Oval in June after they breached a team curfew and were caught up in a nightclub disturbance. The fallout from that episode was swift: Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket after the third Test of that series, while Atkinson also stepped away for a period before eventually returning.
In response to the growing concerns, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) introduced a stricter set of behavioural guidelines in July. These rules, signed off by ECB managing director Rob Key, stipulated a mandatory midnight curfew, a ban on appearing in public while under the influence of alcohol, and a requirement that players must inform team management if they leave the team hotel after 10 p.m. The intention was to curb off‑field misbehaviour and protect the team’s reputation. Root, however, appears to be taking a markedly different tack.
Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, he said the team would no longer be subject to a formal curfew and that personal responsibility should be the cornerstone of the players’ conduct. "There’s not going to be a curfew. I don’t think this needs to be a big deal, to be honest," Root told the hosts. "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 continued, emphasizing that the on‑field performance should be the primary metric by which the side is judged.
"We should be known for how we play cricket and what we do on the field. We should be on the back page of papers for our cricket, not for our nightlife," he said. Root’s message was clear: the team culture should encourage players to celebrate victories responsibly, enjoy a drink when appropriate, but never lose sight of the fact that they are representing England. "Be adults, look after yourselves, look after each other.
Create a strong culture where you know when the right time is to celebrate and when it’s time to be sensible. You’ve got to play for England," he added.
When pressed about the ECB’s stance, the board replied, "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." Root also addressed the lingering controversy surrounding Ben Stokes’ departure. While he stopped short of confirming a possible recall, he did not rule it out entirely. "I don’t know – let’s get there first," he said when asked whether he would welcome Stokes back into the fold.
In addition to the curfew debate, Root expressed disappointment at the recent reshuffle of the England coaching staff. He had worked closely with former head coach Brendon McCullum during a brief stint as interim captain in June, when England suffered a loss at The Oval in the second Test against New Zealand.
"I was gutted when I found out Brendon was no longer going to be the Test coach," Root admitted. "He’s someone who has really got the best out of me personally. I love the way he sees the game and the way he’s opened my eyes to looking at it slightly differently." McCullum remains the white‑ball head coach, but Stephen Fleming, a former New Zealand teammate of Root, has taken over the Test coaching duties.
Root praised Fleming both as a player and a mentor, noting, "I have always admired him. As a captain he always put the team first, and his record as a T20 coach has been exceptional. I’m looking forward to what we can achieve together." Root also reflected on his own past decisions as captain, particularly his heavy use of fast bowler Jofra Archer during his first spell at the helm.
In November 2019, during his maiden overseas Test in New Zealand, Root bowled Archer for 42 overs, a workload that many later argued contributed to a series of injuries that kept Archer out of Test cricket for over four years between 2021 and 2025. Acknowledging this, Root said, "I think at times I did over‑bowl him. The attack we have now complements him much better.
There are other bowlers who can now share the load, and I won’t repeat that mistake." He went on to describe Archer as a generational talent whose skill set will be crucial across all formats moving forward. "He’s capable of doing wonderful things in Test cricket. I made mistakes, but I’m excited to work with him again and see what he can achieve," Root said.
The conversation then turned to the personal growth Root has experienced since his first tenure as captain. He acknowledged that public opinion would inevitably compare his current approach with the one he adopted four years ago. "The hardest thing for me will be people’s opinion of how I captained four years ago.
I’m a completely different player now. I’ve always looked to evolve and move my game forward, and that’s no different as a captain," he explained. Root emphasized that learning from past errors is essential.
"When you make mistakes, you look at yourself and you know you don’t want to repeat them. You learn and you apply that knowledge the next time around. That shouldn’t be a hindrance; it should be a massive upside to getting the chance to do it again," he concluded. The England‑Pakistan three‑Test series is set to commence on August 19, with live coverage on Sky Sports Cricket and streaming options available via NOW.
Fans can expect a side that aims to balance professionalism with the freedom to enjoy their successes, all under a captain who believes that treating his players as responsible adults will foster a healthier, more resilient team culture.