Former England batsman Nasser Hussain praised Joe Root's recent decision to eliminate the team curfew, calling it a mature step, but he also warned that the England skipper sometimes appears to lack the intuitive grasp of the game that his predecessor Ben Stokes possessed. Root has now led England in a record 65 Tests, a figure that includes his most recent assignment during the second‑Test loss to New Zealand earlier this summer.
That match came after Stokes and fast‑bowler Gus Atkinson were suspended for breaching a curfew that had been introduced in the wake of the 4-1 Ashes defeat in the winter. During the latest episode of the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Hussain commented on Root's choice to scrap the curfew ahead of the three‑Test series against Pakistan, which begins on Wednesday on Sky Sports. "It's just a grown‑up decision, isn't it?" he asked, before elaborating on why he believes a curfew can be counter‑productive. "If you need a curfew, you have lost control of your side.
Someone is always going to break it, and the result is a loss of authority. Treat your players as adults – if they misbehave, fine them first and, if necessary, drop them.
A professional outfit shouldn't have to police its own members with a curfew; the very need for one signals a deeper problem within the group." Hussain added, "I'm really pleased that Joe has said, 'no, enough of that nonsense'." The comment underscored the broader challenge facing Root: revitalising an England side that have stumbled in eight of their last thirteen Tests. The recent 2‑1 series defeat to New Zealand not only marked the end of the Bazball era but also coincided with Ben Stokes' retirement from international cricket, leaving a leadership vacuum that Root must now fill. Root's first permanent spell as captain was similarly underwhelming.
In the 17 Tests he led before stepping down in 2022, England managed just a single victory. Hussain reflected on that period, noting that Root was given "the biggest of hospital passes" for the second Test at The Oval against New Zealand – a reference to the heavy workload and expectations placed on him. "That was very recent, not four years ago, and it reminded me of some of the moments when Joe seemed to lose the feel for the game," Hussain said. "On that Oval pitch, which was bouncy and offered plenty of movement, he appeared to be trying too hard to emulate Stokes, pushing his men forward when the conditions perhaps called for a more measured approach." According to Hussain, the key difference between Root and Stokes lies in the latter's innate sense of tempo.
"Stokes had a real feel for the flow of a match," he explained. "Root is a superb player, but at times he seems to be searching for that instinctive rhythm." The former England captain also mentioned Harry Brook as a potential benchmark.
"I see in Harry, especially in the white‑ball game, a genuine feel for cricket. He carries an aura and seems comfortable navigating the nuances of a match," Hussain observed.
He acknowledged, however, that the demanding international schedule makes it difficult to draw direct comparisons. Brook, despite serving as England's white‑ball vice‑captain, was passed over for the Test role in the second New Zealand match at The Oval.
Some observers speculate that the selectors were reluctant to overload the 27‑year‑old with responsibilities across all three formats, especially after his off‑field incident involving a nightclub bouncer last winter, which attracted significant criticism. Michael Atherton, who recently sat down with Root for an interview, asked the captain a pointed question: "Are you doing this out of duty or genuine desire?" Root replied that duty played a part because "there really is nobody else" ready to take the helm across formats.
Yet he also conveyed genuine enthusiasm for the challenge, noting that he feels equipped with a strong fast‑bowling unit and wants to build on the positive aspects of the Bazball philosophy while imprinting his own style. Root was careful not to promise a wholesale overhaul. He said he intends to retain the elements of Bazball that have worked, while tweaking the approach to suit his own ideas and the strengths of his squad. "I’m not going to impose a rigid, predetermined style on the team," he explained.
"We’ll keep what’s effective and evolve the rest." In terms of personnel, Essex all‑rounder Jordan Cox will slot into the No 3 position for the first two Tests, replacing the injured Jacob Bethell. Cox previously featured at No 6 in the second Test loss to New Zealand at The Oval, where he contributed scores of 27 and 25. Having spent several weeks with Root during The Hundred campaign for Welsh Fire, Cox says he now knows the captain on a more personal level. "Spending three‑and‑a‑half weeks training together in the nets, chatting about cricket and life, has been fantastic," he said.
"Test cricket is the pinnacle, and after The Hundred wrapped up, we’ve had extra time to fine‑tune our preparations for the upcoming series." The three‑Test series against Pakistan will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket from August 19, with streaming options available via NOW without a contract. As England seeks to turn the tide after a difficult stretch, the removal of the curfew may signal a shift toward greater player autonomy, but the underlying question remains: can Root develop the intuitive game‑sense that distinguishes great captains? Only time, and the results on the field, will provide the answer.