- Joe Root has abandoned the midnight curfew for the England Test squad after being re-appointed as captain, taking the decision alongside new head coach Stephen Fleming following Ben Stokes's retirement.
- Root urged his players on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast to behave like adults and look after one another, emphasising that squad members should feel free to celebrate victories sensibly without the constraints of rigid off-field restrictions.
- The curfew was initially introduced following several off-field incidents, including a late-night altercation involving Harry Brook, and was allegedly broken by Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson during the New Zealand series.
- Harry Brook, who previously served as vice-captain, was overlooked for the captaincy role in favour of Root after England’s managing director Rob Key suggested it was “too soon” for the 27-year-old to lead the Test side.
- England are preparing for an upcoming three-Test series against Pakistan beginning at Headingley next Wednesday, with opener Emilio Gay named in a warm-up squad and expected to be fit despite a recent shoulder injury scare.
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Joe Root abandons team curfew after return as England Test captain
