Joe Root, the returning captain for the England Test team, has announced the abolition of the midnight curfew for his players. This decision comes as England prepares for a three-match series against Pakistan, with Root urging his squad to act as “grown adults” regarding their conduct off the field.
The concept of a curfew has been a recurring topic for the England men’s team for nearly a decade. Root himself made similar remarks about player behaviour during his first captaincy stint in 2017, ahead of an Ashes tour. That tour was marked by several incidents, including one involving Jonny Bairstow and Cameron Bancroft, and another where Ben Duckett tipped a drink over James Anderson. A midnight curfew was initially imposed during that tour and remained in place for over four years until its removal in 2022.
Curfew’s recent history and Root’s stance
The curfew was reinstated in January following issues during a recent trip to Australia. Rules introduced for the white-ball team in January were also applied to the Test side at the start of the home summer. However, after the first Test, captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were involved in an incident that led to them not being selected for the second Test against New Zealand in June. Director of cricket Rob Key reportedly considered a total alcohol ban, though he also acknowledged that Atkinson was unaware of the curfew.
Head coach Brendon McCullum conceded there was some “ambiguity” around the regulations at the time. Stokes later retired from international cricket, paving the way for Root’s return as Test captain. Last month, England issued new guidelines that still included a curfew and advised against alcohol consumption immediately before, during, or after a match. However, McCullum’s final act as coach of both the Test and white-ball teams was to relax drinking guidelines for the T20 side to celebrate a series win against India.
Now, under Root’s leadership and with Stephen Fleming as the new Test coach, the curfew has been completely lifted. This relaxation of rules is also understood to apply to the white-ball teams, which are still led by McCullum and Harry Brook. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that the curfew will no longer be in place, stating that they will ensure all players understand expectations for upcoming series.
Root expressed his belief that curfews are ineffective, stating, “I don’t think they work and if you want guys to take responsibility on the field they’ve got to feel like they can be grown adults off it and make good, strong decisions.” He emphasized the importance of self-policing and creating a strong team culture where players understand their responsibilities while representing England.
Looking ahead for England cricket
Root highlighted that the team should be recognized for its performance on the field. He encouraged players to enjoy victories and have a “sensible beer” at the appropriate times, but always to remember their roles as England players. He stressed the need for players to be “smart, sensible and just be an adult about it.”
The former captain also reflected on his previous stint, acknowledging that he made mistakes, particularly regarding the management of bowler Jofra Archer. Root stated that he “did over-bowl him and over-use him” in the past and vowed not to repeat those errors, recognizing Archer as a “generational talent.”
Root also shared his disappointment regarding McCullum’s departure as Test coach, praising McCullum’s influence on his personal game and his approach to cricket. Despite this, he expressed admiration for the new Test coach, Stephen Fleming, citing Fleming’s leadership as a player and his coaching record, particularly in T20 cricket.
The decision to remove the curfew comes amidst a period where England has secured only two victories in their last 10 Tests. The team’s reputational challenges are seen as something that can only be rectified through success on the field. The upcoming series against Pakistan marks the first opportunity for Root’s side to demonstrate this renewed focus.
Following the Pakistan series, England’s Test schedule includes a major series away to world champions South Africa this winter, a home Ashes against Australia next summer, and five Tests in India in early 2028. The first Test against Pakistan is scheduled to begin next week.
Source: bbc.com
