Nasser Hussain praised Joe Root's decision to remove the England Test team curfew but questioned his leadership style compared to Ben Stokes. Root, who has captained England 65 times, faces challenges reviving a side that lost 8 of 13 recent Tests. Hussain noted Root sometimes lacks the intuitive feel Stokes had, particularly during a recent Oval match. Root aims to blend 'Bazball' elements with his own approach, avoiding a predetermined style. The three-Test series against Pakistan starts August 19 at Headingley.

Root's curfew removal reflects a shift toward treating players as adults, with punishments for misconduct. While Hussain acknowledged the positive move, he contrasted it with Stokes' leadership, which he felt had a better grasp of game tempo. Root's first captaincy stint ended in failure, with just one win in 17 Tests. Despite this, he expresses genuine excitement about the role, leveraging faster bowlers and avoiding strict replication of past strategies.

The England-Pakistan series includes Tests at Headingley, Lord's, and Edgbaston. Root's challenge is twofold: restoring confidence after recent losses and adapting to Pakistan's conditions. Hussain suggested Harry Brook might have been a better choice due to his white-ball intuition but noted scheduling constraints limited options. The series offers Root a chance to redefine England's Test identity beyond the 'Bazball' era.