England Test captain Joe Root removes a midnight curfew for his team, scrapping a rule introduced earlier in the year. Multiple outlets report Root makes the decision after returning to the captaincy and tells players to act responsibly off the field.
The curfew had been brought in by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) amid wider concerns about players’ conduct. Sources link the change to a period of high-profile off-field incidents around international matches, including altercations involving players and nightlife settings. One report says the curfew followed the Ashes, while another notes it was introduced around the New Zealand tour timeframe after incidents involving figures including Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson.
Outlets differ slightly on details such as the exact timing and emphasis. Some focus on Root’s message that players should “be adults” and be sensible while still being allowed to celebrate, while others stress that Root had concluded the rule does not work. All describe the curfew as requiring players to return to the team hotel by midnight and comply with related reporting or stay-out conditions.
