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 mature adults as they prepare for the upcoming series against Pakistan. This stance marks a notable shift from the stricter protocols that were introduced after a series of alcohol‑related incidents that plagued the team following the overseas Ashes tour in late 2025. During that turbulent period, England’s Test squad suffered several setbacks. Most prominently, then‑captain Ben Stokes and fast‑bowler Gus Atkinson were dropped for the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval in June after they breached a team curfew and were involved in a nightclub episode.
The fallout from that episode was severe: Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket after the third Test of the series, a decision that saw both he and Atkinson return to the fold later on. In response to the chaos, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) introduced a new set of player‑behaviour guidelines in July, signed off by ECB managing director Rob Key.
The policy stipulated a midnight curfew, a ban on appearing in public while under the influence of alcohol, and a requirement that any player leaving the team hotel before 10 p.m. must inform management. While the intention was to restore order, the measures were criticised by some as overly paternalistic. Root, however, has taken a different approach.
Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, he said, "There’s not going to be a curfew. I don’t think this needs to be a big deal, to be honest." He argued that curfews do not foster responsibility and that, in order for his players to own their actions on the field, they must be trusted to behave like grown‑ups off the field. "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. Root’s philosophy centres on personal accountability and a strong team culture.
He explained that the responsibility for maintaining standards rests with the players themselves, and that the management team – including new head coach Stephen Fleming – will support them in policing behaviour. "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 performances, not for a night out," he said.
He stressed the importance of balance: celebrating victories and enjoying a sensible drink are acceptable, provided they do not interfere with the primary goal of representing England. "I don’t want people to feel like they can’t enjoy winning a Test match because they want to have a beer or let their hair down – that’s absolutely fine. We’re human beings at the end of the day," Root said.
"You know what your responsibilities are, you know how you need to prepare for a Test match and what it takes, and the effects that these things can have on you. So be smart, be sensible, and just be an adult." When asked for comment, the ECB said, "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." The board’s response suggests a willingness to hand over cultural stewardship to the senior leadership group. Despite the controversy surrounding Stokes’ departure, Root did not rule out the possibility of the former captain returning for a future Ashes series.
When pressed on the matter, he replied, "I don’t know – let’s get there first," indicating that any decision will be based on form, fitness, and team dynamics. Root also expressed disappointment at the departure of former head coach Brendon McCullum, who had been serving as interim Test coach during the New Zealand series in June.
"I was gutted when I found out Brendon was no longer going to be the Test coach. He’s someone who really got the best out of me personally," Root admitted.
He praised McCullum’s cricketing insight and the way he broadened his perspective on the game. "I love the way he sees the game, and the way that he’s opened my eyes to looking at it slightly differently. He’s a brilliant coach, and I’m very glad we still work together in the white‑ball set‑up," he added, wishing McCullum success in his continued role with England’s limited‑overs teams.
Stephen Fleming, a former New Zealand captain and long‑time teammate of McCullum, has taken over as Test coach. Root spoke highly of Fleming, noting their past encounters and his admiration for Fleming’s leadership style. "I’ve always admired him as a player.
The way he always put the captaincy first and his record as a coach, especially in T20, has been exceptional. I’m looking forward to what we can achieve together," Root said. Reflecting on his first stint as Test captain, Root acknowledged criticism over his heavy use of fast bowler Jofra Archer during the 2019 New Zealand tour, where Archer bowled 42 overs in his maiden overseas Test.
That workload contributed to a string of injuries that kept Archer out of Test cricket for over four years between 2021 and 2025. Root now promises a more measured approach: "I think at times maybe I did over‑bowl him and over‑use him. The attack that he works with now complements him really well. There are other players who can fill the role I used Jofra for in the past." He highlighted Archer’s status as a generational talent and reiterated his belief that Archer will be a pivotal figure across all formats moving forward.
"In Test cricket, he’s capable of doing wonderful things. I didn’t get everything right the first time around. I made mistakes, but he’s going to be a really important factor in what we do moving forward. I’m very excited to work with him again," Root said.
Root also candidly discussed the weight of his earlier captaincy on his current decision‑making. He noted that public opinion about his previous tenure still lingers, but he views his growth as an older, wiser player as a positive development. "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 this is no different. You learn from mistakes and you don’t repeat them," he explained. He hopes that observers will see his return as an opportunity rather than a hindrance.
"That shouldn’t be a hindrance. I hope people don’t see it like that. I hope they see it as a massive upside to getting the chance to do it again," he concluded.
The three‑Test series between England and Pakistan kicks off on August 19 and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket. Fans can also stream the action via NOW, which offers contract‑free access to cricket and other sports.
Root’s message of adult responsibility, cultural renewal, and strategic flexibility sets the tone for what promises to be a compelling contest on English soil.