Only wins can stop England's curfew hokey-cokey
England have scrapped their midnight curfew seven months after introducing it. Now, only wins will repair the reputational damage they have sustained, says Stephan Shemilt.
England's midnight curfew during the Ashes tour lasted over four years until it was abandoned in 2022. Despite seven months without the curfew, it was reinstated in January 2026. Captain Joe Root, who previously led the team in 2017, has now lifted the curfew, signaling a shift in the team's approach. The decision comes after a series of incidents and misbehaviours from the players during previous tours.
Root, along with former coach Brendon McCullum, believes that treating the players as grown-ups off the field will help them take responsibility on and off the field. This move aims to improve the team's performance in upcoming series, including matches against Pakistan, South Africa, Australia, and India.
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- England scrap midnight curfew after seven months sports.yahoo.com
- England scrap midnight curfew after seven months bbc.co.uk
- Root abolishes England's midnight curfew, says 'don't think they work' cricinfo.com
- England scraps midnight curfew on men’s cricket team under new captain Joe Root winnipegfreepress.com
