Joe Root lifts midnight curfew as England Test captain
4 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 12, 2026, 7:08 PM
Last updated Aug 12, 2026
Joe Root has lifted the midnight curfew for the England cricket team after his reappointment as Test captain. The curfew was implemented following incidents during the Ashes, including breaches by Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson during the New Zealand series. Root stated the decision aims to foster a culture of responsibility and enjoyment among players. England is preparing for a three-Test series against Pakistan, starting next Wednesday, with Emilio Gay expected to recover from a shoulder injury in time for the matches.
- •Root reappointed as England Test captain after Stokes' retirement.
- •Midnight curfew introduced after Ashes incidents is now abolished.
- •Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson allegedly breached the previous curfew.
- •England begins a three-Test series against Pakistan next Wednesday.
- •Emilio Gay is expected to be fit for the upcoming Tests.
- 7:08 PMYahoo Sports — England scraps midnight curfew on men's cricket team under new captain Joe Root
- 2:10 PMYahoo Sports — Root lifts midnight curfew on England team
- 2:10 PMBBC Sport — Root lifts midnight curfew on England team
- 1:20 PMYahoo Sports — Joe Root abandons team curfew after return as England Test captain
"The midnight curfew imposed on the England men's cricket team has been scrapped under newly appointed captain Joe Root. The restriction was put in place by England managing director Rob Key after controversial late-night incidents on the winter tours of New Zealand and Australia. Former test captain Ben Stokes was out past the curfew following a match against New Zealand in June, leading to his temporary suspension and then sudden retirement from test cricket — a chain of events that has sparked the return of Root for a second spell as skipper.
"A curfew had been introduced after the Ashes and was allegedly broken by Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson during the New Zealand series
"New Test captain Joe Root abolishes the midnight curfew imposed on the England team under predecessor Ben Stokes.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 12, 2026, 7:08 PMEngland scraps midnight curfew on men's cricket team under new captain Joe Root
The midnight curfew imposed on the England men's cricket team has been scrapped under newly appointed captain Joe Root. The restriction was put in place by England managing director Rob Key after controversial late-night incidents on the winter tours of New Zealand and Australia. Former test captain Ben Stokes was out past the curfew following a match against New Zealand in June, leading to his temporary suspension and then sudden retirement from test cricket — a chain of events that has sparked the return of Root for a second spell as skipper.
- Yahoo SportsAug 12, 2026, 2:10 PMRoot lifts midnight curfew on England team
New Test captain Joe Root abolishes the midnight curfew imposed on the England team under predecessor Ben Stokes.
- BBC SportAug 12, 2026, 2:10 PMRoot lifts midnight curfew on England team
New Test captain Joe Root abolishes the midnight curfew imposed on the England team under predecessor Ben Stokes.
- Yahoo SportsAug 12, 2026, 1:20 PMJoe Root abandons team curfew after return as England Test captain
A curfew had been introduced after the Ashes and was allegedly broken by Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson during the New Zealand series
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