New Test captain Joe Root has abolished the midnight curfew imposed on the England team under predecessor Ben Stokes. It was introduced during the winter after late-night incidents on tours of New Zealand and Australia. Following the first Test of the home summer, Stokes broke the curfew in a London nightclub, sparking events leading to his retirement.

Before Root's first Test back in charge against Pakistan at Headingley, he told his team: "Let's be adults." The curfew has also been lifted for the white-ball team, despite no change in leadership. Limited-overs sides led by coach Brendon McCullum and captain Harry Brook will no longer abide by the midnight rule. Root said: "There's not going to be a curfew."

The curfew was first put in place during Root's first spell as Test captain between 2017 and 2018 and reintroduced earlier this year. It has now been scrapped again as Root begins his second spell. McCullum has been replaced as Test coach by fellow New Zealander Stephen Fleming, though he will not be in place for the Pakistan series.

Root added: "My view on curfews is that I don't think they work. If you want guys to take responsibility on the field, they've got to feel like they can be grown adults off it." The ECB confirmed the curfew will no longer be in place as the new captain and coach set team standards.