Nasser Hussain praised England's new Test captain Joe Root for his recent move to eliminate the team curfew, but he also voiced concerns that the returning skipper sometimes seems to lack the intuitive feel for the game that his predecessor Ben Stokes possessed. Root has now led England on a record 65 occasions, most recently during the second Test loss to New Zealand earlier this summer. That match came after Stokes and Gus Atkinson were suspended for breaching a curfew that had been introduced following the 4-1 Ashes defeat in the winter. "It's just a grown‑up decision, isn't it?" Hussain remarked on the latest Sky Sports Cricket Podcast while discussing Root's choice to scrap the curfew ahead of the three‑Test series against Pakistan, which began on a Wednesday on Sky Sports.
"If you have a curfew, you have already lost control of the side. No curfew ever works because someone is always going to break it. Treat the players as adults – if they misbehave, fine them first and, if necessary, leave them out of the squad. A professional outfit shouldn't need a curfew; its existence only highlights how badly the team was managed before." Hussain continued, "I'm really pleased that Joe has said, 'no, enough of that nonsense'." The immediate challenge for Root is to revive an England side that have dropped eight of their last 13 Tests, a slump that followed a 2‑1 series defeat to New Zealand which effectively marked the end of the 'Bazball' era and coincided with Ben Stokes' retirement from international cricket.
Root's first permanent spell as captain also ended poorly, with just one victory in his final 17 Tests before he stepped down in 2022. Hussain noted, "He was given the biggest of hospital passes for the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval – that was very recent, not four years ago – and it reminded me of some of the memories of Joe as a captain. For a player of his calibre, who usually has a good sense of the tempo of a match, he seemed to lack that feel in that particular game. He was almost trying to emulate Stokes, pushing his men onto a bouncy Oval pitch where the ball was moving behind them.
He didn't quite have the feel for the situation, and that's what I admired about Stokes' captaincy – a real, instinctive feel for the flow of the game." Hussain also compared Root's leadership style with that of Harry Brook, who, despite being vice‑captain, was overlooked for the Test role at The Oval. "I see in Harry, especially in white‑ball cricket, a genuine feel for the game.
He has an aura about him, but I understand the scheduling pressures and the need to manage workload across formats," Hussain said. Brook's recent off‑field incident with a nightclub bouncer before an ODI against New Zealand last winter attracted heavy criticism, which may have influenced the decision to keep him out of the Test captaincy.
Former England captain Michael Atherton, who recently interviewed Root, asked the new skipper whether his decision to stay on was driven by duty or genuine desire. "Duty, in the sense that there is really nobody else.
Once they decide they don't want Harry Brook to carry the load across three formats, who else is left?" Atherton explained. "But I sense that Joe is truly excited about the opportunity. He feels he has some ammunition with his faster bowlers and wants to strike a balance between loyalty to the past and forging his own path. He speaks highly of Brendon McCullum, acknowledging the New Zealand great's influence on his batting and on the team, even though that partnership ended poorly." Root emphasized that he does not intend to impose a rigid, pre‑determined style on the side.
"I want to keep the bits of Bazball that worked, but I also want to put my own stamp on it," he said. "The most important thing is not to force a single approach on a group of players who each have their own strengths and preferences." The upcoming three‑Test series against Pakistan, scheduled to start on August 19, will be a crucial test for Root's leadership.
England will need to rediscover consistency, especially with the bowling attack that has struggled to take wickets consistently in recent matches. The removal of the curfew could foster a more relaxed environment, allowing senior players to take responsibility for their own conduct, while younger members like Brook may step up to fill leadership gaps. Analysts suggest that Root's decision to drop the curfew could have several benefits. First, it signals trust in the professionalism of the squad, encouraging players to self‑regulate rather than rely on external restrictions.
Second, it removes a potential source of distraction; curfew breaches often dominate headlines and can undermine team morale. Finally, it aligns England with other top cricketing nations that have moved away from rigid disciplinary measures in favour of a culture of accountability. However, critics argue that the curfew was a symbolic reminder of the standards expected from a national side, especially after the disciplinary issues that led to Stokes and Atkinson's suspensions.
Without such a clear boundary, there is a risk that complacency could creep back in, particularly during long overseas tours where off‑field temptations are plentiful. Root appears aware of this balance. In a press conference, he said, "We are professionals. We know what is expected of us on and off the field.
The curfew was a band‑aid for deeper issues. By removing it, we are saying we trust each other to behave responsibly.
If anyone steps out of line, the consequences will be swift and fair." The series against Pakistan will also test England's batting depth. With the retirement of stalwarts like Stokes, the top order has struggled to post competitive totals. Root, who has been in and out of form himself, will need to lead by example, delivering runs while also managing the bowlers' workloads. The inclusion of emerging talents such as Ollie Pope and the resurgence of veteran James Anderson could provide the stability required to turn the tide.
In summary, while Nasser Hussain applauds the mature step of scrapping the curfew, he remains cautious about Root's overall feel for the game as a captain. The upcoming Pakistan series will be a litmus test: if Root can blend the freedom of a curfew‑free environment with disciplined, instinctive leadership, England may well rediscover the winning formula that has eluded them since the end of the Bazball era.