Nasser Hussain praised England's new Test leader Joe Root for his decision to eliminate the team curfew, describing it as a mature step, but he also expressed concern that the returning captain sometimes seems to lack the intuitive grasp of the game that his predecessor Ben Stokes possessed. Root has now led England on a record 65 occasions, most recently in the second Test loss to New Zealand earlier this summer, a match that followed the suspension of Stokes and Gus Atkinson for breaching a curfew that had been introduced after the 4-1 Ashes defeat in the winter.
During the latest Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Hussain remarked, "It’s simply a grown‑up decision, isn’t it?" when discussing Root’s choice to scrap the curfew ahead of the three‑Test series against Pakistan, which began on a Wednesday on Sky Sports. He went on to argue that a curfew signals a loss of control over the squad: "If you need a curfew, you’ve already lost the team. Someone will inevitably break it, and the whole exercise becomes counter‑productive.
Treat your players like adults; if they behave poorly, first fine them and then, if necessary, leave them out. A professional outfit shouldn’t have to impose a curfew – it only highlights how badly the environment was managed in the first place." Hussain added, "I’m really pleased that Joe has said ‘no, enough of that nonsense’," underscoring his approval of the captain’s stance. The immediate challenge for Root, however, is to rejuvenate an England side that has stumbled in eight of its last 13 Tests, a slump that followed a 2‑1 series defeat to New Zealand that effectively closed the Bazball chapter and coincided with Ben Stokes’ retirement from international cricket.
Root’s first full stint as England’s permanent skipper also ended in a barren spell, with just one victory in his final 17 Tests before he stepped down in 2022. Hussain reflected on that period, noting that Root was handed a "huge hospital pass" for the second Test at The Oval against New Zealand, a match that reminded him of the captain’s earlier performances.
"For such an outstanding player who usually senses the tempo of a game, he seemed to lose that feel at The Oval. He was trying to emulate Stokes a bit too closely, pushing his men forward on a bouncy Oval pitch where the ball was tracking behind. He didn’t have the same instinct for the flow of the match that Stokes displayed," Hussain said. The former England great went on to compare Root’s instincts with those of Harry Brook, the current white‑ball vice‑captain.
"Brook has an aura and a genuine feel for the game in limited‑overs cricket. I can see why some might think he could eventually take over the Test role, especially given the demanding schedule," Hussain explained. Brook, despite being named vice‑captain, was passed over for the Test captaincy for that Oval encounter. His recent off‑field incident with a nightclub bouncer before an ODI against New Zealand last winter attracted criticism and may have contributed to the decision to keep him out of the Test leadership role.
Michael Atherton, who recently sat down with Root, asked the captain whether his decision to scrap the curfew was driven by duty or genuine desire. Root replied that duty played a part because "there is really nobody else" willing to take on the role across all three formats, but he also stressed his excitement about the opportunity. He believes his fast‑bowling resources give him a solid platform and that he wants to honour the legacy of former coach Brendon McCullum while carving out his own approach. "I’m not looking to impose a rigid, predetermined style on the team," Root said.
"I want to retain the successful elements of Bazball while adding my own stamp." In terms of squad selection, 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 previously featured at number six in the second Test loss to New Zealand at The Oval, where he contributed 27 and 25 in his two innings.
He and Root have become better acquainted through their time together at Welsh Fire in The Hundred, where Cox remarked, "Spending three and a half weeks with Joe in the nets gave me a chance to see him on a different level. We talked cricket, life, everything – it was great. The Hundred finished last night, but we got extra training time, and now we’re ready for a big Test match." Looking ahead, England will face Pakistan in a three‑Test series starting on August 19, broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket.
The series will be a crucial test for Root’s leadership, his ability to manage player behaviour without a curfew, and his capacity to develop a tactical instinct that matches the instinctive flair of his predecessor. If he can blend the professionalism he advocates with a deeper feel for the ebb and flow of Test cricket, Root may yet prove that his "grown‑up" decision was more than a symbolic gesture – it could be the foundation for a renewed England side capable of competing at the highest level.