England fast bowler Josh Tongue has said captain Joe Root's message to the squad about off-field conduct has "100% landed", after Root criticised Brydon Carse for becoming the latest player embroiled in a late-night drinking controversy. Root addressed the squad before training for the second Test against Pakistan at Lord's, describing his frustration at repeated "stupid mistakes" that have overshadowed England's recent form. The episode matters because it is the latest in a string of off-field incidents involving England's men's team, raising questions about discipline within the squad even as they pursue a rare series win.

Carse, 31, was briefly arrested and later de-arrested during a night out in Derby on Saturday, with footage of the incident circulating on social media; the ECB referred the matter to the Cricket Regulator, whose investigation has ruled him out of the Lord's Test starting Thursday. Tongue, who has taken 65 wickets in 13 Tests, is himself among eight centrally contracted England players linked to late-night incidents since last October, including being present when Harry Brook was punched by a nightclub bouncer in Wellington. England, unbeaten after an innings victory at Headingley and likely to field an unchanged XI, are seeking their first series win since 2024 under interim head coach Marcus Trescothick, ahead of Stephen Fleming's arrival as head coach in December.