Former England spinner Graeme Swann has criticized the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for introducing a strict midnight curfew for players. Swann defended captain Ben Stokes and stated that players should be allowed to celebrate major achievements instead of being closely monitored.
England secured a 115-run victory over New Zealand in the first Test at Lord's. Following the match, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were involved in an incident with Saracens academy rugby player Totoa Auvaa at a nightclub, which led to disciplinary action and their exclusion for the second Test match.
The Day You're Not Allowed to Celebrate a Test Win Is a Dark Day - Graeme Swann
Speaking to PTI, Graeme Swann criticized the ECB's decision to impose a midnight curfew on England players. The former spinner said that such restrictions do not reflect the realities of a dressing room and prevent players from properly celebrating important achievements.
"My thoughts are very mixed on this. The fact that there's a curfew put in place is... I'm a former player. You will never, ever convince me that a curfew is a good thing. It's ridiculous that they even did that in the first place," Swann told PTI.
"I understand why they did it, because they're trying to paint a good picture to other people, to a PR side of it. That doesn't work. I think they'll learn a lesson, the ECB, from that, that we shouldn't have done that at all."
"We should have come out, sat down and actually talked about what we're going to do as a culture and make sure we're moving forward. But just to put a midnight curfew after winning a Test match, the day you're not allowed to celebrate winning a Test match for your country is a dark day."
VIDEO | Former England spinner Graeme Swann warned that England would struggle to replace skipper Ben Stokes if it comes to that.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 13, 2026
Skipper Stokes landed in controversy after footage emerged from the post Lord’s Test victory celebrations at a nightclub, where he and teammate Gus… pic.twitter.com/XcbV6jgDHa
I Don't Think Ben Stokes Has Done Anything Wrong- Graeme Swann
Graeme Swann backed Ben Stokes amid criticism over the curfew controversy. The former England spinner said that Stokes had not done anything wrong and added that the rule should not have been introduced in the first place.
"I don't think Ben Stokes has done anything wrong here, other than go against a rule that shouldn't have been implemented in the first place. I don't know the story, what happened. No one knows the story. So, I'm not even going to comment on that."
"Like I say, he celebrated winning the Test match. I have no issue with that whatsoever. I do have a massive issue with the team curfew at midnight after winning a Test. Before a Test, fine. You shouldn't drink before or during a game. As a professional athlete, you shouldn't be doing that. But that doesn't need writing down on a piece of paper for me."
Ben Stokes Is Irreplaceable - Graeme Swann on England Captain's Future
Graeme Swann said that England would struggle to replace Ben Stokes if he lost the captaincy. The former spinner praised Stokes' leadership and all-round ability, describing him as one of the most important figures in English cricket.
"I don't know. I hope it's not the end because he's the best captain we've had, arguably, since Andrew Strauss. Alastair Cook's not going to like that. Sorry, Cooky. I think he's a very good man manager and leads by example. He really does lead by example."
"The problem is on the field, we haven't got an all-rounder anywhere near Ben Stokes... what he brings with the bat and the ball. Stokes is an enigma. He's a world-class fast bowler who swings the ball. We don't have a swing bowler. No one has swing bowlers in the world. So he's irreplaceable on the field, I think. And, you know, as a captain, he's been brilliant."
