Joe Root scraps midnight curfew for England-Pakistan Test series, urges players to 'be adults'
Synopsis
Joe Root's return as England Test captain comes with an immediate policy shift: the midnight curfew is gone. In its place, Root is betting on personal accountability — asking players to self-regulate ahead of a Pakistan series that begins 19 August. It's a cultural statement as much as a logistical one, and it puts the onus squarely on the squad.
Key Takeaways
Joe Root has scrapped the midnight curfew for the England vs Pakistan Test series beginning 19 August at Headingley .
The curfew was introduced by the ECB in July following off-field alcohol-related incidents involving Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson .
Root urged players to 'be adults' and exercise personal responsibility both on and off the field.
Root admitted he was 'gutted' by Brendon McCullum 's exit from the Test setup, while welcoming incoming coach Stephen Fleming .
Root acknowledged he 'over-bowled' Jofra Archer during his first captaincy stint and pledged a more careful approach this time.
On a potential Ben Stokes Test return ahead of the 2027 Ashes , Root said: 'I don't know — let's get there first.'
Joe Root, in his second stint as England's Test captain, has scrapped the midnight curfew that had been imposed on the squad and called on players to conduct themselves like 'grown adults' ahead of the England vs Pakistan Test series, which begins at Headingley on 19 August.
The Curfew Decision
The move represents a pointed departure from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)'s player behaviour guidelines introduced in July, which followed a series of off-field alcohol-related incidents. Most notably, former Test captain Ben Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson were reportedly found out past the midnight curfew after England's first Test victory against New Zealand at Lord's.
'There's not going to be a curfew. I don't think this needs to be a big deal, to be honest. My view on the curfew is that the players are doing their work, and if you want guys to take responsibility on the field, they've got to feel like they can be grown adults and make good, strong decisions off it,' Root said on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast.
Root's Vision for Team Culture
Root was emphatic that the England dressing room must be defined by what happens on the pitch, not off it. 'Be adults, look after yourselves, look after each other. We need to create a good, strong culture where you know when the right time is to celebrate and enjoy a win or to have a sensible beer, but remember — you've got to play for England,' he added.
He stressed that players already understand their responsibilities: 'You know what your responsibilities are, you know how you need to prepare for a Test match and what it takes, and the effects that these things can have on you. So be smart, be sensible, and just be an adult.'
On New Head Coach Stephen Fleming
Root also opened up about the coaching transition, admitting he was 'gutted' when Brendon McCullum stepped away from the Test setup. 'He's someone that I feel has really got the best out of me personally. I love the way he sees the game,' Root said, adding that he was glad McCullum would continue in England's white-ball setup.
On incoming head coach Stephen Fleming, Root expressed genuine admiration: 'He's someone that I really did admire as a player. The way that he's always held himself as a captain first and foremost. His record as a coach has been exceptional, albeit in T20 cricket. There's so much that I'm looking forward to in that respect.'
Jofra Archer and Lessons from the First Stint
Root acknowledged tactical errors from his previous captaincy tenure, particularly around the management of fast bowler Jofra Archer. 'I think at times maybe I did over-bowl him and over-use him,' he conceded, adding that the current attack complements Archer better. 'I believe he's a generational talent and someone who is going to produce wonderful things for England across the formats.'
On the broader question of his return to leadership, Root urged observers not to judge him by a four-year-old record: 'I'm a completely different player from what I was four years ago. You've got to learn. When you make mistakes and when you get things wrong, you look at yourself, and you know you don't want to make that mistake again.'
Ben Stokes and the 2027 Ashes
Asked whether he would welcome a potential Test comeback for Ben Stokes ahead of the 2027 Ashes, Root kept his answer brief: 'I don't know — let's get there first.' The England-Pakistan series beginning on 19 August at Headingley will be the first real test of Root's refreshed leadership philosophy.
Point of View
Not policing, will define his second tenure. But the ECB introduced those guidelines for a reason: high-profile incidents were becoming a reputational liability. The real question is whether a culture of self-regulation holds when results go against England, because dressing-room discipline tends to erode fastest under pressure. Root's track record as a batsman is beyond dispute; his first captaincy stint was patchy on man-management. This series against Pakistan is an early referendum on whether he has genuinely evolved in that regard.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Joe Root scrap the midnight curfew for England's Test squad?
Root removed the curfew because he believes players who are trusted to perform on the field must also be trusted to make responsible decisions off it. He wants the England Test team to be defined by on-field performance, not off-field restrictions.
What was the ECB curfew and why was it introduced?
The ECB introduced a midnight curfew for England players in July following a series of off-field alcohol-related incidents. The most prominent involved former Test captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson, who were reportedly out past the curfew after England's first Test win against New Zealand at Lord's.
When and where does the England vs Pakistan Test series begin?
The England vs Pakistan Test series begins on 19 August at Headingley, Leeds. It is the first series of Joe Root's second spell as England's Test captain.
What did Joe Root say about new head coach Stephen Fleming?
Root expressed strong admiration for Fleming, describing him as someone he 'really did admire as a player' for his captaincy and demeanour. Root acknowledged Fleming's coaching record has been exceptional, primarily in T20 cricket, and said he is looking forward to working with him in the Test format.
Has Joe Root addressed his handling of Jofra Archer during his first captaincy stint?
Yes. Root admitted he likely 'over-bowled' and 'over-used' Archer during his first tenure as captain. He described Archer as a 'generational talent' and pledged to manage the fast bowler more carefully this time around, noting that the current England attack is better suited to sharing Archer's workload.
