Joe Root has made it clear that under his leadership as England's Test captain there will be no imposed curfew, urging his teammates to conduct themselves like mature adults as they head into his first series back at the helm, this time against Pakistan. The backdrop to Root's stance is a series of off‑field incidents that have plagued the England Test side since the overseas Ashes tour in late 2025. The most notable episode involved then‑captain Ben Stokes and fast‑bowler Gus Atkinson, who were omitted from the second Test at The Oval in June after breaching a team curfew and becoming involved in a nightclub disturbance. The fallout from that night was severe: Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket after the third Test of the series, while Atkinson also stepped away for a period before eventually returning.
In response to those events, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) introduced a stricter code of conduct in July, signed off by managing director Rob Key. The new guidelines stipulated a midnight curfew, a ban on appearing in public while under the influence of alcohol, and a requirement that players inform management if they left the team hotel after 10 p.m. The intention was to tighten discipline and protect the team’s reputation. Root, however, appears to be taking a more nuanced 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 explained that he believes curfews are ineffective and that true responsibility comes from treating players as adults who can make sensible decisions both on and off the field. "If you want the lads to take responsibility on the field, they have to feel like grown‑ups and make good, strong decisions off it," Root continued. He emphasized that managing behaviour will be a shared responsibility between the players, the captain, and the new head coach Stephen Fleming.
"That’s for us as a team to manage well, and police well for me and Stephen," he said. Root’s vision for the team culture is straightforward: the side should be recognised for its cricketing performance, not for headlines about parties or breaches of discipline.
"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," he asserted. He urged his teammates to look after themselves and each other, to celebrate victories responsibly, and to remember that playing for England carries a weight of expectation. He added, "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 at the right time – that’s absolutely fine.
We’re human beings at the end of the day. You know what your responsibilities are, you know how you need to prepare for a Test, and you understand the effects of your choices. So be smart, be sensible, and just be an adult." When the ECB was asked for comment, they responded that the captain and coach are now setting the standards and culture, and that the curfew would be removed. They promised clear expectations for the upcoming series.
Despite the controversy surrounding Stokes’ departure, Root did not rule out the possibility of the former captain returning for a future Ashes. When asked if he would welcome Stokes back, Root replied, "I don’t know – let’s get there first," indicating that decisions will be made based on form and team needs.
Root also expressed disappointment at the departure of former head coach Brendon McCullum, with whom he worked during an interim captaincy stint in the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval. "I was gutted when I found out Brendon was no longer going to be the Test coach," Root said. He praised McCullum’s ability to get the best out of him personally, noting, "I love the way he sees the game and the way he’s opened my eyes to looking at it a little differently.
He's a brilliant coach and I’m grateful we still work together in the white‑ball set‑up." McCullum remains England’s white‑ball head coach, while Stephen Fleming, a former New Zealand teammate of Root, has taken over as Test coach. Root spoke highly of Fleming, recalling their past interactions and admiring his leadership style. "I’ve always admired Fleming as a player and as a coach. He always put the captaincy first and his record in T20 cricket is exceptional.
I’m looking forward to what we can achieve together," Root said. Root also reflected on a criticism from his first spell as 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 followed by a long injury layoff for Archer, who missed Test cricket from 2021 to 2025. Root acknowledged the mistake, stating, "I think at times I over‑bowled him. The attack we have now complements him better, and there are now other bowlers who can share the load." He praised Archer as a generational talent, confident that the bowler will make significant contributions across formats moving forward. "In Test cricket he can do wonderful things.
I didn’t get everything right the first time, but I’ve learned and I’m excited to work with him again," Root said. Root was candid about the pressure of his earlier captaincy and how it has shaped his current approach. He said, "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 always look to evolve, and that applies to leadership as well. When you make mistakes, you learn from them and you don’t repeat them." He hopes the public sees his second stint as an opportunity rather than a liability.
"I hope people see it as a massive upside to getting the chance to do it again," he concluded. The three‑Test series between England and Pakistan begins on August 19 and will be streamed on Sky Sports Cricket, with additional coverage available through NOW. Root’s message to his squad is clear: responsibility, maturity, and a strong team culture will replace curfews as the cornerstone of England’s Test ambitions.