Joe Root, returning as England’s Test captain, scrapped the team’s midnight curfew and tells players to “be adults.” The decision is presented as his first official move in his second spell as captain after the retirement of Ben Stokes.
The curfew was introduced by the ECB following off-field incidents that followed England’s Ashes campaign. Several outlets cite late-night behaviour involving players, including a Wellington nightclub incident involving Harry Brook. Other reports also point to a late-night incident in the New Zealand tour that led to Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson being dropped for the second Test.
Outlets broadly agree on the key point: Root abolishes the midnight return requirement and related restrictions. Different coverage emphasizes different aspects, with some describing his message as allowing sensible celebration, including taking a drink, while others highlight his view that the rules “don’t work” and that players should take responsibility for their actions. The ECB is described as supporting Root’s decision, alongside the incoming standards set by Root and head coach Stephen Fleming.
