England Test captain Joe Root has ended the midnight team curfew just seven months after its introduction. In his recent column for the Telegraph, former captain Michael Vaughan backed the change, praising the common-sense approach alongside new head coach Stephen Fleming.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) introduced the midnight curfew in January after several late-night incidents during the winter tours of New Zealand and Australia. The policy faced scrutiny after Gus Atkinson and Ben Stokes were involved in an incident at a London nightclub this summer.
They Have Scrapped the Curfew - Michael Vaughan Backs Joe Root
Michael Vaughan backed Joe Root and new England head coach Stephen Fleming after they removed the midnight curfew. Writing in his column for The Telegraph, Vaughan said that Root has enough experience and authority to lead the group without relying on strict off-field rules.
“They have scrapped the curfew, which is common sense. Root and Stephen Fleming, the new coach, have recognised that if you have the right people in your squad and a strong ethic within the group, you do not need a curfew. If you keep an eye out for your mates and are managed well, there should not be any problems.”
“It is about understanding that once you are an England cricketer, you are always an England cricketer, and you have responsibilities to represent your team at all times."
"That does not mean you cannot let your hair down after a win, but there are ways to do that without getting in trouble. It should be perfectly obvious not to be out after midnight in the days leading up to a game, or during it. That is a performance issue, pure and simple.”
Joe Root Has Led the Team More Than Anyone - Michael Vaughan
Michael Vaughan also highlighted Root's long experience of leading England through difficult periods. He backed the star batter to learn from both the successful and disappointing parts of his first captaincy stint.
“He (Joe Root) has led the team more than anyone, in a seriously trying era through Covid and other issues. He has won more games and lost more games than any other England captain. He had some excellent times as captain, and some very disappointing times.
He has not beaten Australia, but has pulled off some memorable series wins – at home to India, away to South Africa and in Sri Lanka twice. By the end of the Caribbean tour in 2022 he looked a broken person. He has spoken about that, and so has Ben Stokes. He walks in with eyes wide open.
My key piece of advice to Joe would be to learn from each one of those experiences. Use those good times, but learn from the bad ones. He has been a master of that with the bat, solving problems and continually getting better throughout his career.”
Three Years Older Than Any Other Player - Michael Vaughan
The cricketer-turned-commentator believes Joe Root's experience gives him natural authority within the dressing room. Michael Vaughan also feels the England captain must lead through his batting, especially because the team will depend heavily on his runs.
“Being three years older than any other player, and having so many more caps, Root will have natural authority within the group. Use that to your advantage, and lead by example. Clearly the most important area he can do that is by dominating with the bat.
That is your best form of leadership. Without his runs, England will struggle. He is the glue for the team. When it comes to his judgment and decision-making, the early signs have been good.”
The rule came under renewed scrutiny after Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were seen at a London nightclub following England's victory over New Zealand in the first Test at Lord's. Stokes later retired from international cricket, while Brendon McCullum left his position as head coach.
