Former England batsman Nasser Hussain praised Joe Root’s recent move to scrap the team curfew, calling it a mature step, but he also voiced concerns that the England skipper sometimes lacks the intuitive game‑sense that made his predecessor Ben Stokes such an effective leader. Root has now led England in a record‑breaking 65 Tests, a tenure that includes the ill‑fated second Test against New Zealand earlier this summer.
In that match, both Stokes and fast‑bowler Gus Atkinson were suspended after breaching a curfew that had been introduced following England’s 4‑1 loss in the Ashes series last winter. The curfew was intended to tighten discipline after a period of under‑performance, but it quickly became a source of controversy. During the latest episode of the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Hussain described Root’s decision to abolish the curfew ahead of the three‑Test series against Pakistan as “a grown‑up decision”.
He argued that imposing a curfew signals a lack of trust in the players and that it inevitably leads to someone breaking the rule. "Treat the players like adults," he said. "If they misbehave, first fine them, then leave them out.
A professional outfit shouldn’t need a curfew; it only highlights how badly the environment has deteriorated when such measures become necessary." Hussain added, "I’m really pleased that Joe has said ‘no, enough of that nonsense’.” The comment underscored a broader expectation that the England side, which has lost eight of its last thirteen Tests, needs a cultural reset as much as a tactical one. The team’s recent 2‑1 series defeat to New Zealand not only marked the end of the high‑octane “Bazball” era but also coincided with Ben Stokes’ retirement from international cricket, leaving a leadership vacuum that Root must now fill.
Root’s first full spell as captain was similarly troubled. Between 2020 and 2022 he managed just one victory in his final seventeen Tests before stepping down. Hussain reflected on that period, noting that Root was given “the biggest of hospital passes” for the second Test at The Oval – a reference to the generous leeway afforded to a player of his stature. Yet, according to Hussain, Root “didn’t have the feel of the game” on that occasion.
He suggested that Root seemed to be emulating Stokes too closely, trying to force aggressive field placements on a bouncy Oval pitch where the ball was moving behind the batsmen. "He almost was trying to be a bit too Ben Stokes‑ish," Hussain said, emphasizing that Stokes possessed a natural intuition for match tempo that Root has yet to fully develop. The former England captain also compared Root’s leadership style with that of Harry Brook, the 27‑year‑old white‑ball captain who has shown a strong instinct for the flow of a game.
"I see with Harry in white‑ball cricket that he has a real feel for the game," Hussain observed. "He has an aura about him, but I understand the caveats of the schedule and all that sort of stuff." Brook’s own path to the Test captaincy has been anything but straightforward. Although he serves as vice‑captain, he was passed over for the role in the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval. The decision may have been influenced by concerns that giving Brook permanent Test responsibilities would overload him, especially after an incident last winter in which he was involved in a heated confrontation with a nightclub bouncer before an ODI.
That episode attracted heavy criticism and highlighted the delicate balance England must strike between nurturing young talent and maintaining discipline. Michael Atherton, another former England great, recently interviewed Root and asked whether his decision to stay on as captain was driven by duty or genuine desire.
Atherton noted, "Duty in the sense that there is really nobody else. Once they don’t want Harry Brook to do it over three formats, where else do they go?" He sensed that Root is genuinely enthusiastic about the role, saying the skipper feels he has “some ammunition there in terms of his faster bowlers.” Root also expressed admiration for former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, crediting him with shaping his batting approach and influencing the team’s culture. He stressed that he does not intend to discard the successful elements of Bazball entirely but wants to imprint his own ideas on the style.
"I’m not going to try and impose a predetermined style on this team," Root told Atherton. "I’ll take the bits that worked and add my own stamp." On the playing side, Essex all‑rounder Jordan Cox will open the batting at number three for the first two Tests, stepping in for the injured Jacob Bethell.
Cox, who previously appeared at number six in the New Zealand loss at The Oval and scored 27 and 25 in his two innings, has spent the past few weeks training with Root in The Hundred’s Welsh Fire side. Cox said the experience has allowed him to see a different side of the captain: "I’ve been with him for probably three‑and‑a‑half weeks now in The Hundred, and we’ve got along really well. I’ve got to know Joe on a different level… It’s been awesome." The upcoming three‑Test series against Pakistan begins on August 19 and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket.
As England seeks to reverse its recent fortunes, the focus will be on whether Root’s “grown‑up” approach to discipline and his evolving tactical acumen can translate into on‑field success. The series will also serve as a litmus test for the team’s cultural shift, measuring if the removal of curfews and the emphasis on personal responsibility can restore confidence and performance after a turbulent period. For fans, the series offers a chance to watch a captain who is still defining his identity, balancing the legacy of his predecessors with his own vision for England cricket.
Whether Root can develop the intuitive feel for the game that Hussain believes is missing remains to be seen, but his willingness to make bold decisions—like ending the curfew—suggests he is willing to adapt and grow alongside his side. The outcome of the Pakistan tour will likely shape the narrative around his captaincy for the rest of the decade.