Joe Root scraps England Test team's midnight curfew ahead of Pakistan series

Joe Root has removed the England Test team's mandatory midnight curfew ahead of the three-Test series against Pakistan, announcing the change on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast as he begins a second spell as captain.

Root returned to the leadership role after Ben Stokes' sudden retirement from international cricket following June's third Test against New Zealand, inheriting a side that had prompted the England and Wales Cricket Board to introduce strict behavioural guidelines in July. Those July rules included a mandatory midnight curfew, explicit instructions not to appear under the influence of alcohol in public, and a requirement to notify management if staying out past 10pm.

Explaining his decision to scrap the curfew, Root said: "There's not going to be a curfew. I don't think this needs to be a big deal, to be honest." He added: "My view on curfews is that I don't think they work, and if you want guys to take responsibility on the field, they've got to feel like they can be grown adults and make good, strong decisions off it." Root said the matter of standards would be managed internally by him and head coach Stephen Fleming: "That's for us as a team to manage well, and police well for me and Stephen Fleming."

Root outlined his expectations for player conduct in a further statement to teammates, saying: "Be adults, look after yourselves, look after each other. Create a good, strong culture where you know when the right time is to celebrate and enjoy a win or to have a sensible beer, but remember, you've got to play for England. I don't want people to feel like they can't enjoy winning a Test match because they want to have a beer or at the right time let their hair down. "We're human beings at the end of the day. You know what your responsibilities are, you know how you need to prepare for a Test match and what it takes, and the effects that these things can have on you. So be smart, be sensible, and just be an adult."

The ECB confirmed the removal of the curfew and said Root and Fleming were taking ownership of team standards. "We have a Test captain and coach who are looking at how they set team standards and culture," the governing body stated. "As part of this, the curfew will no longer be in place. We will ensure all players have a clear understanding of expectations when they come together for the upcoming Test series."

The original curfew was introduced in response to a series of off-field incidents dating back to the Ashes tour of Australia and peaking during June's home series against New Zealand; Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson were dropped for the second Test at The Oval after a late-night incident outside a nightclub, though both returned for the third Test before Stokes retired. The Cricket Regulator later said the specifics of the curfew had been poorly communicated to players.

The disciplinary fallout also touched Harry Brook, who was involved in a late-night altercation with a nightclub bouncer on the eve of an ODI and, despite serving as Stokes' vice-captain, was passed over for the captaincy when Root was reinstated; ECB managing director Rob Key said it was "too soon" for the young batter to take on the leadership. Root was also asked about a possible Stokes return to international cricket and replied: "I don't know, let's get there first."

Root's second chapter as skipper officially starts next Wednesday when England take on Pakistan at Headingley in the series opener.