Joe Root has made it clear that there will be no curfew imposed on the England Test side under his renewed captaincy, urging his teammates to conduct themselves like "grown adults" as they prepare for the upcoming series against Pakistan. This stance marks a departure from the stricter protocols that were introduced after the team’s off‑field troubles during the 2025 Ashes tour abroad. Those incidents, which involved excessive drinking and a breach of team rules, saw then‑captain Ben Stokes and fast‑bowler Gus Atkinson omitted from the second Test against New Zealand at the Oval in June when they were caught breaking a curfew and ending up in a nightclub.
Stokes subsequently announced his retirement from international cricket after the third Test of that series, while Atkinson returned to the fold later on. In response to those events, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) rolled out a set of enhanced behavioural guidelines in July, signed off by ECB managing director Rob Key. The new rules stipulated a midnight curfew for all squad members, prohibited players from appearing in public while under the influence of alcohol, and required anyone leaving the team hotel to report their whereabouts by 10 p.m.
The intention was to create a tighter framework that would prevent repeat incidents and safeguard 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 went on to explain his philosophy: "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." In his view, the responsibility for behaviour rests with the players themselves, and a heavy‑handed timetable would only undermine their sense of personal accountability. Root continued, "That’s for us as a team to manage well, and police well for me and [new head coach] Stephen Fleming. We should be known for how we play cricket and what we do on the field, not for headlines about late‑night parties.
Be adults, look after yourselves, look after each other. Create a strong culture where you know when the right time is to celebrate, enjoy a win, or have a sensible beer, but always remember – you’re playing for England." He emphasized that enjoyment should not be outlawed: "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 moment – that’s absolutely fine. We’re human beings at the end of the day.
You know your responsibilities, you know how to prepare for a Test, you understand the impact of alcohol on performance, so be smart, be sensible, and just be an adult." When the ECB was asked for comment, a spokesperson 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." This response suggests the board is willing to give Root the latitude to shape the squad’s internal discipline, trusting his leadership to maintain professionalism without a rigid curfew.
The conversation also touched on the future of former captain Ben Stokes. Despite the controversy surrounding his departure, Root did not rule out the possibility of Stokes returning for a future Ashes campaign.
When asked whether he would welcome Stokes back, Root replied, "I don’t know – let’s get there first," indicating that any decision will depend on form, fitness, and the team’s needs. Root also expressed genuine disappointment at the recent departure of former head coach Brendon McCullum from the Test set‑up. McCullum, who had served as interim captain during the second Test of the New Zealand series in June, was praised by Root for his influence on his own development.
"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.
I love the way he sees the game and how he opened my eyes to looking at it a little differently. He’s a brilliant coach, and I’m very glad we still work together in the white‑ball arena. I owe him a huge amount and wish him all the best," Root said.
While McCullum remains England’s white‑ball head coach, Stephen Fleming – a former New Zealand teammate of Root – has taken over the Test coaching duties. Root spoke highly of Fleming, noting, "We have crossed paths over the last few years when he’s coached various teams around the world. I have always admired him 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 also reflected on his own past decisions as captain, specifically the heavy workload he placed on fast‑bowler Jofra Archer during his first stint. In November 2019, during a tour of New Zealand, Archer bowled 42 overs in a single innings, a decision that some critics argued contributed to a series of injuries that kept him out of Test cricket for more than four years between 2021 and 2025. Root acknowledged the mistake, saying, "I think at times I did over‑bowl him.
The attack we have now complements him better. There are other bowlers now who can share the load that I used Jofra for in the past. He’s a generational talent and will produce wonderful things for England across all formats. In Test cricket he can still do amazing things.
I didn’t get everything right the first time, I made mistakes, but I’m excited to work with him again." The England captain also spoke candidly about the weight of his earlier tenure and how it has shaped his approach now that he is older and wiser. "The hardest thing for me will be people’s opinion of how I captained four years ago.
I’m a completely different player now. As a professional I always look to evolve, to 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 my second spell as a massive upside, not a hindrance," he said.
Overall, Root’s message to the squad is one of empowerment and responsibility. By removing the curfew, he hopes to foster an environment where players feel trusted to make sensible choices, understand the consequences of their actions, and maintain a strong, cohesive culture that prioritises performance on the field while still allowing for genuine moments of celebration off it. The upcoming three‑Test series against Pakistan, set to begin on August 19 and broadcast on Sky Sports Cricket, will be the first real test of this new approach. Fans can stream the matches via NOW, and the ECB has indicated that clear expectations will be communicated to all players as the series approaches.