Former England batsman and commentator Nasser Hussain recently praised Joe Root’s bold move to eliminate the team curfew that had been imposed after England’s disastrous 4-1 Ashes loss. While Hussain applauded the “grown‑up” nature of the decision, he also warned that Root sometimes appears to lack the intuitive feel for the game that made his predecessor Ben Stokes such an effective leader. Root has now captained England on a record 65 occasions, a tally that includes the second‑Test defeat to New Zealand earlier this summer.
That match came after Stokes and all‑rounder Gus Atkinson were suspended for breaching a curfew that had been introduced in the wake of the Ashes debacle. In a recent episode of the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, aired just before the three‑Test series against Pakistan, Hussain described Root’s curfew‑free policy as a “grown‑up decision.” “It’s simply a mature choice,” Hussain said.
“If you need a curfew to control your side, you’ve already lost the battle for respect. No professional outfit should have to police its players like that. When someone breaks a curfew, the damage is done – either you fine them or you leave them out. Treat your players like adults and the problem disappears.” Hussain continued, “I’m really pleased that Joe has said ‘no, enough of that nonsense.’” He argued that the curfew had been a sign of deeper issues within the squad, and that scrapping it signalled a willingness to move beyond the punitive measures that had characterised the post‑Ashes period.
The immediate challenge for Root is to revive an England side that has struggled in recent months, losing eight of their last thirteen Tests. The 2‑1 series loss to New Zealand marked the end of the so‑called “Bazball” era and also coincided with Ben Stokes’ retirement from international cricket.
Root’s first full stint as captain had also been marked by a barren run – only one win in his final seventeen Tests before he stepped down in 2022. Reflecting on a recent Oval Test against New Zealand, Hussain noted that Root was handed “the biggest of hospital passes” – a reference to the heavy workload and pressure placed on the skipper.
“For a player of Joe’s calibre, who usually has a keen sense of a game’s tempo, that night he seemed to lose the feel of the match,” Hussain observed. “He tried to emulate Stokes, pushing his men forward on a bouncy Oval surface where the ball was staying low. He didn’t have the natural instinct that made Stokes such a compelling captain.” Hussain went on to compare Root with Harry Brook, the England white‑ball vice‑captain, saying, “Brook has a real feel for the game in limited‑overs cricket.
He carries an aura and I can see him developing into a leader if the schedule allows. But for now, Root is the man in charge of the Test side, and his approach will define England’s next chapter.” Brook’s own captaincy prospects have been a subject of speculation.
Despite being named vice‑captain, he was overlooked for the Test role against New Zealand at the Oval. Some pundits suggest that England’s management were reluctant to overload the 27‑year‑old with responsibilities across all three formats, especially after his heated confrontation with a nightclub bouncer before an ODI last winter attracted negative publicity. Former England captain Michael Atherton, who recently interviewed Root, asked the skipper whether his decision to drop the curfew was driven by duty or genuine desire.
“There’s really nobody else,” Root replied, “so it’s partly duty. But I’m genuinely excited about the opportunity. I feel I have some ammunition with our fast bowlers, and I want to strike a balance between loyalty to what has worked and forging my own path.” Root also paid tribute to former New Zealand captain‑coach Brendon McCullum, noting that McCullum had been a valuable mentor for his batting and for the team, even though that partnership ended on a sour note. “I’m not looking to discard everything that worked under Bazball,” Root said.
“I want to keep the bits that were effective and add my own stamp, without imposing a rigid, predetermined style.” The upcoming series also sees a change in the batting order. Essex all‑rounder Jordan Cox will slot in at number three for the first two Tests, replacing the injured Jacob Bethell. Cox, who made his only other Test appearance at number six in the New Zealand loss at the Oval, scored 27 and 25 in those innings.
He recently spent three and a half weeks with Root at Welsh Fire in The Hundred, giving him a chance to observe the captain up close. Cox spoke about the experience: “Spending that time with Joe in the nets, talking cricket and life, has been fantastic. It’s given me a deeper insight into his leadership style and his approach to the game.
The Hundred finished last night, but we got extra training time, which helped us prepare for the upcoming Test.” As the England‑Pakistan series approaches, fans can tune in to Sky Sports Cricket for live coverage starting August 19. The three‑match contest will be streamed without a contract through NOW, offering cricket enthusiasts a chance to see how Root’s curfew‑free policy and evolving captaincy style translate into performance on the field. In summary, while Nasser Hussain lauds Root’s decision to treat his players as adults and discard a restrictive curfew, he remains cautious about the skipper’s instinctive grasp of the game’s nuances.
The next few weeks will be a critical test for Root: can he blend the mature, player‑focused culture he advocates with the tactical acumen that has made captains like Stokes so successful? The answer will shape England’s direction in Test cricket for years to come.