Joe Root has abolished the midnight curfew on England's Test team as he begins his second spell as captain, telling players to "be adults" and manage their own behaviour off the field. The rule, introduced during Ben Stokes's tenure after late-night incidents on tours of New Zealand and Australia, will also be lifted for the white-ball team despite no change in one-day and T20 leadership.
The curfew was initially put in place during Root's first spell as Test captain between 2017 and 2022 following drinking incidents on the 2017-18 Ashes tour. Stokes abolished it when he took over in 2022, only to reintroduce it earlier this year after incidents involving white-ball captain Harry Brook and opener Ben Duckett. The curfew remained in place for the Test team during the home summer, creating confusion over its terms and how it was communicated.
Stokes broke the curfew in a nightclub in London following the first Test against New Zealand, an incident that sparked a series of events leading to his retirement from international cricket. An England security staff member was punched by a Saracens rugby player during that incident, and Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson missed the second Test while the matter was investigated before being cleared of wrongdoing.
Root told Sky Sports that curfews do not work and that players must feel they can make responsible decisions off the field to take responsibility on it. He said the team would "manage well and self-police well" under him and incoming Test coach Stephen Fleming. The England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement that team standards and culture would be set by the captain and coach, with players to have clear expectations when coming together for matches.
The removal of the curfew reverses some behavioural guidelines issued last month that also recommended players avoid alcohol on the day before, during, and the day after matches. Those guidelines discourage public drinking during restricted periods and strongly discourage private drinking to aid preparation, recovery and professionalism. The guidelines apply only to England's senior men's teams, with other sides having their own rules.
