Bazball-era curfews over as Root demands England players 'be adults'

England cricket captain Joe Root announced the end of late-night curfews for the team, stating that players need to act like adults off the field. Root returned to the captaincy after Ben Stokes' sudden retirement due to a late-night incident. England will commence a three-Test series against Pakistan starting next Wednesday in Leeds.

Root emphasized the importance of players taking responsibility both on and off the field, adding, "You're playing for England." This message comes as England prepares for another Ashes series in England next summer, following Stokes' retirement and the departure of Brendon McCullum as Test coach. Root, aged 35, began his second spell as Test captain at Headingley against Pakistan, the first match of the three-Test series since the tumultuous period of curfew breaches and McCullum's dismissal.

Root, in a conversation with former captain Mike Atherton on Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, expressed his belief that curfews are ineffective and that players must be mature enough to make responsible decisions both on and off the field. He stressed that the team must manage self-policing and maintain a strong culture, focusing on their performance on the field rather than their conduct off it.

The curfew was introduced by England men's managing director Rob Key following an altercation involving Harry Brook during the pre-Ashes tour to New Zealand last November. Players' behavior during their 4-1 Ashes defeat was under scrutiny, with opener Ben Duckett admitting to being disappointed by his own actions while under the influence of alcohol.