Joe Root lifts ECB’s midnight curfew for England cricket squad
Joe Root has torn up the ECB’s midnight curfew in his first significant act since resuming the England Test captaincy, urging his squad to take personal responsibility ahead of next week’s Pakistan series, reports BritPanorama.
The 35-year-old, who succeeded Ben Stokes following the all-rounder’s retirement in June, announced the change alongside new head coach Stephen Fleming. Root clarified that players are expected to act like “grown adults” off the field to ensure accountability when performing on it.
“There’s not going to be a curfew. I don’t think this needs to be a big deal, to be honest,” Root told the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast. He expressed that curfews do not work, advocating instead for personal responsibility among players.
This decision follows a turbulent twelve months for English cricket off the pitch, marked by several incidents involving players. During last winter’s Ashes tour, several members of the squad were reportedly intoxicated in Noosa, Australia. Furthermore, controversy arose when white-ball captain Harry Brook was punched by a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand last November.
Subsequent issues peaked during June’s home series against New Zealand when Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson faced disciplinary action for breaching the midnight curfew after a late-night incident. Both players returned for the third Test, but Stokes subsequently announced his retirement from international cricket, and it was found that the curfew rules had been poorly communicated.
The ECB implemented these curfew rules following a series of incidents last summer, mandating players to refrain from public intoxication and check in with team management after 10pm. However, Root and Fleming have chosen to dismantle these restrictions, opting for a system of self-regulation instead.
Root emphasised that England’s reputation should rest on their performances rather than off-field controversies. “We should be known for how we play our cricket and what we do on the field,” he stated, asserting that players should feel free to celebrate victories, provided they exercise good judgement in doing so.
The ECB has endorsed this new approach, stating that the Test captain and coach will establish team culture and standards without the imposition of curfews. They affirmed that players will now receive clear guidelines regarding expectations as they prepare for the upcoming Test series.
Root’s leadership experience is considerable, holding the record for most Tests as England captain with 65 appearances and 27 victories during his first tenure from 2017 to 2022. He is also England’s all-time leading run-scorer in Test cricket.
The three-match series against Pakistan will contribute to the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, with the opener scheduled for 19 August at Headingley, followed by matches at Lord’s and Edgbaston.
As the squad embarks on this pivotal series, the absence of curfews raises questions about the balance between freedom and professionalism, a characteristic challenge for any team aiming to reclaim its former glory.
