Joe Root has scrapped the curfew imposed on England after their problems with booze and implored his players to behave like 'grown adults'.
Root returns as captain
Root has returned to the Test captaincy following the retirement of Ben Stokes at the end of England's series defeat by New Zealand earlier this summer. He has wasted no time in removing the controversial curfew that was placed on England players - instead trusting them to take responsibility on and off the field.
Root has formed a leadership tandem with new head coach Stephen Fleming, who will replace Brendon McCullum following his compatriot's sacking after the New Zealand series.
Off-field issues
England have been plagued by off-field issues in the last year, firstly when Harry Brook was punched by a bouncer the night before a one-day international in New Zealand prior to the Ashes. Some England players were then seen to be under the influence of alcohol during a four-day break in the Australian holiday resort of Noosa while being 2-0 down in the Ashes.
The issues culminated in Stokes and Gus Atkinson being left out of the second Test against New Zealand for breaking a midnight curfew after an incident at a nightclub.
Root's stance
"There's not going to be a curfew. I don't think this needs to be a big deal, to be honest," Root told Sky Sports. "My view 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."
"That's for us as a team to manage well, and police well for me and Flem. Ultimately, we're grown adults, we know what it takes to play for England and we know what our responsibilities are off the field. We need to make sure we don't find ourselves in those situations."
"We should be known for how we play cricket and what we do on the field. We should be on the back page of papers. 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're playing 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 - that's absolutely fine. 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."
