New England Test captain Joe Root has scrapped the midnight curfew for both the Test and white-ball squads, saying players should be trusted to act as adults. The decision is significant because player conduct rules have faced close scrutiny after several late-night incidents this year, including events that preceded former captain Ben Stokes’ international retirement.

The curfew was reintroduced in January following incidents involving Harry Brook, Ben Duckett and others on overseas tours, and later caused confusion during the home Test series against New Zealand. Root, who previously used a curfew during his first captaincy spell, will begin his second tenure against Pakistan at Headingley next week; Stephen Fleming is due to become Test coach later, with Marcus Trescothick interim coach for the Pakistan series.