England captain Joe Root has ended the team’s midnight curfew, backing personal responsibility as his side prepares for a challenging Test series against Pakistan.
England Test captain Joe Root has scrapped the team’s midnight curfew ahead of the three-match Test series against Pakistan, opting for a culture built around trust, responsibility and player accountability.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Root said he did not believe strict restrictions were necessary and expected England’s players to make sensible decisions themselves. The experienced batter said the squad should be mature enough to understand its responsibilities without needing constant supervision.
“There’s not going to be a curfew. I don’t think this needs to be a big deal, to be honest,” Root said.
Root explained that England players would be expected to “self-police” and look after one another while maintaining the standards required of international cricketers. He stressed that responsibility away from the field should complement the performances expected during matches.
The decision marks a change from the approach taken under former captain Ben Stokes, when a midnight curfew was introduced as part of the team’s discipline and culture.
Root, however, believes players should have room to enjoy themselves while understanding the consequences of their decisions. He acknowledged that celebrating victories and having a drink when appropriate should not become an issue as long as players remain responsible.
“Let’s be adults. Look after yourselves, look after each other,” Root said.
England now turn their attention to Pakistan, with Root and head coach Stephen Fleming expected to maintain clear standards within the squad.
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