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 he prepares for his first series back in charge, this time against Pakistan. The England Test squad has been mired in a series of alcohol‑related incidents since the overseas Ashes tour that concluded in late 2025. The most notable episode involved then‑captain Ben Stokes and fast‑bowler Gus Atkinson, both of whom missed the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval in June after breaching a team curfew and being linked to a nightclub disturbance. The fallout from that episode was severe: Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket after the third Test of the series, while Atkinson was also dropped for a period.
In response to the growing concerns, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) introduced a stricter set of behavioural guidelines in July. Signed off by ECB managing director Rob Key, the new protocol stipulated a midnight curfew for all players, prohibited any public appearance while under the influence of alcohol, and required anyone leaving the team hotel to be back by 10 p.m.
The aim was to create a clear, enforceable framework that would curb off‑field indiscretions. Root, however, has taken a markedly different stance.
Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, he explained that he believes personal responsibility and maturity are more effective than rigid rules. "There’s not going to be a curfew. I don’t think this needs to be a big deal, to be honest," he said.
"My view on curfews is that I don’t think they work, and if you want the 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 went on to stress that the team’s culture will be managed internally, with the support of the newly appointed head coach Stephen Fleming. "That’s for us as a team to manage well, and police well for me and [new head coach] Stephen Fleming," Root added. "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 nightlife headlines." Root’s message was clear: players should look after themselves and each other, celebrate victories responsibly, and remember that their primary commitment is to England.
"Be adults, look after yourselves, look after each other. Create a strong culture where you know when the right time is to celebrate, have a sensible beer, but always remember you’re playing for England," he said. "I don’t want people to feel they can’t enjoy a win because they want a drink or to let their hair down – that’s fine.
We’re human beings. You know your responsibilities, you know how to prepare for a Test, you understand the impact of your choices.
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 underscores a shift from prescriptive rules to a culture‑first approach, trusting the leadership group to enforce standards. Despite the turbulence surrounding Stokes’ exit, Root did not rule out the possibility of the former captain returning for a future Ashes series.
When questioned about Stokes’ potential comeback, he replied, "I don’t know – let’s get there first," indicating that performance and team harmony will dictate any future decisions. Root also expressed genuine disappointment at the departure of former head coach Brendon McCullum, who had served as interim captain during the second Test of 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 intellect and the fresh perspective he brought: "I love the way he sees the game, and how he opened my eyes to looking at it a bit differently. He’s a brilliant coach, and I’m glad we still work together in the white‑ball set‑up.
I owe him a huge amount and wish him all the best in his new role." While McCullum remains England’s white‑ball head coach, the Test coaching role has been handed to his former New Zealand teammate Stephen Fleming. Root spoke highly of Fleming, noting their long‑standing respect: "Fleming and I have crossed paths over the last few years when he’s coached various sides. I’ve always admired him as a player and as a captain. His record as a T20 coach is exceptional, and I’m excited about what we can achieve together." Root also reflected on his own early tenure as Test captain, acknowledging criticism over his heavy use of fast‑bowler Jofra Archer during the 2019 New Zealand tour, where Archer bowled 42 overs in his first overseas Test.
That spell was followed by a prolonged injury lay‑off that kept Archer out of Test cricket from 2021 to 2025. Root admitted, "I think at times I over‑bowl him and over‑use him.
The attack he works with now complements him really well. There are now other bowlers who can fill the roles I used Jofra for previously." He emphasized his belief in Archer’s generational talent and promised a more balanced workload moving forward: "He’s a generational talent who will produce wonderful things for England across formats. In Test cricket he can do amazing things.
I didn’t get everything right the first time around, I made mistakes, but he will be a key factor in what we do moving forward. I’m very excited to work with him again." Root was candid about the personal weight of his first captaincy spell, saying it has shaped his decision‑making as a more mature player. "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 move my game forward. When you make mistakes, you learn from them and you don’t repeat them. That shouldn’t be a hindrance.
I hope people see the upside of giving me another chance rather than focusing on past errors," he explained. The upcoming three‑Test series against Pakistan, set to begin on 19 August, will be the first real test of Root’s new cultural approach.
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 abandoning the ECB’s curfew policy in favour of a maturity‑based framework, trusting his squad to act responsibly both on and off the field.
He is rebuilding relationships with key coaching staff, acknowledging past mistakes with bowlers, and positioning himself as a more reflective, seasoned leader. The series against Pakistan will provide a platform to demonstrate whether this adult‑centric philosophy can restore England’s reputation and deliver the performances the nation expects.