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 they embark on his first series back in charge, this time against Pakistan. The England Test squad has endured a series of alcohol‑related incidents since the overseas Ashes tour in late 2025.

The most notable episode involved then‑captain Ben Stokes and young bowler Gus Atkinson, who missed selection for the second Test at The Oval in June after they broke a team curfew and were linked to a nightclub disturbance. The fallout from that episode was swift: 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 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 policy stipulated a midnight curfew for all players, prohibited any public appearance while under the influence of alcohol, and required players to report to team management by 10 p.m.

if they left the team hotel for any reason. Root, however, appears to be taking a different philosophical route. Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, he said: "There is going to be no curfew.

I don’t think this needs to be a big deal, to be honest." He went on to explain his reasoning, emphasizing personal responsibility and the importance of treating professional cricketers as adults capable of making sensible choices: "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 have to feel like they can be grown adults and make good, strong decisions off it." Root added that maintaining a strong team culture is a shared duty between the players, the captain, and the newly appointed head coach Stephen Fleming: "That’s for us as a team to manage well, and police well for me and Stephen. We should be known for how we play cricket and what we do on the field, not for headlines about late‑night parties." He stressed the need for balance between celebration and professionalism: "Be adults, look after yourselves, look after each other. We need to create a good, strong culture where you know when the right time is to celebrate a win, have a sensible beer, and when it’s time to focus on the next challenge.

Remember – you’re playing for England." Root made it clear that enjoying a victory with a drink should not be taboo, provided it is done responsibly: "I don’t want people to feel like they can’t enjoy winning a Test because they want to have a beer or let their hair down. We’re human beings at the end of the day. You know your responsibilities, you know how to prepare for a Test, and you understand the impact of your actions.

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." Despite the controversy surrounding Stokes' exit, Root did not rule out the possibility of the former captain returning for a future Ashes campaign. When pressed on the subject, he replied, "I don’t know – let’s get there first," indicating that any decision will depend on performance and team dynamics. Root also opened up about his disappointment at the departure of former head coach Brendon McCullum, who had been working with him as interim captain during the second Test against New Zealand at the Oval in June. Root said: "I was gutted when I found out Brendon was no longer going to be the Test coach.

He’s someone who has really got the best out of me personally. I love the way he sees the game and the way he’s opened my eyes to looking at it a little differently." He praised McCullum’s coaching acumen and expressed gratitude for their continued collaboration in the white‑ball set‑up: "He’s a brilliant coach. I’m very glad we still get to work together in the limited‑overs teams.

I owe him a huge amount and I wish him all the very best in his new role." While McCullum remains the head coach for England’s white‑ball squads, Stephen Fleming—McCullum’s former New Zealand teammate—has taken over as Test coach. Root spoke highly of Fleming, recalling their encounters over the past few years: "Fleming and I have crossed paths a bit when he’s coached different teams around the world. I have always admired him as a player and as a captain. His record as a coach, especially in T20 cricket, is exceptional, and I’m looking forward to what we can achieve together." Root also addressed a criticism from his first spell as Test captain, when he was accused of over‑bowling fast‑bowler Jofra Archer.

In November 2019, during his maiden overseas Test in New Zealand, Root gave Archer a marathon 42‑over spell, after which the bowler suffered a series of injuries that kept him out of Test cricket for more than four years (2021‑2025). Reflecting on that period, Root admitted he may have pushed Archer too hard and promised a different approach this time around: "I think at times I did over‑bowl him.

The attack we have now complements him really well. There are other bowlers now who can share the workload that I might have relied on Jofra for in the past." He described Archer as a "generational talent" and expressed excitement about working with him again: "He’s going to produce wonderful things for England across all formats.

In Test cricket, he can do some amazing things. I didn’t get everything right the first time, I made mistakes, but he will be a key factor moving forward, and I’m very excited to have him back in the side." Root was also candid about the weight of his previous tenure as captain and how it has shaped his current mindset. He said his experience has made him a more mature and thoughtful leader: "The hardest thing for me is how people judge my captaincy from four years ago. I have to remind myself that I’m a completely different player now.

I’ve always tried to evolve and move my game forward, and the same applies to my leadership. Mistakes teach you lessons; you learn, you adapt, and you try not to repeat them." He hopes the public will view his second stint as an opportunity rather than a liability: "I hope people see it as a massive upside that I’ve been given another chance, not as a hindrance." Looking ahead, England will face Pakistan in a three‑Test series beginning on August 19, with matches broadcast on Sky Sports Cricket and available for streaming via NOW. The series will be a crucial test of Root’s new cultural approach, the effectiveness of Fleming’s coaching, and the ability of senior players like Archer to perform without the constraints of a curfew.

The England camp aims to demonstrate that professionalism, personal responsibility, and a healthy team environment can coexist, ultimately delivering strong performances on the field while allowing players the freedom to enjoy their successes responsibly.