England’s cricket team will have a curfew in place for the upcoming T20 World Cup following recent incidents in New Zealand and Australia. The team faced defeats in the ODI series in New Zealand and the Ashes, with off-the-field alcohol-related issues drawing attention.
In a disappointing series of losses, England suffered a 3-0 defeat in the One-Day International contest in New Zealand before enduring a 4-1 thrashing in the Ashes. Concerns were raised after reports of a boozy outing in Noosa during the Ashes, followed by a publicized drunken incident involving Test vice-captain Harry Brook in New Zealand.
To address these issues, the England and Wales Cricket Board has enforced a curfew for players participating in the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka and the T20 World Cup. Players are required to return to the team hotel by midnight, emphasizing the importance of responsible behavior in public.
The team is set to travel to Colombo for a series of ODIs and T20 matches against Sri Lanka before heading to India and Sri Lanka for the T20 World Cup in February. The incidents during the Ashes, including a video of a drunken Ben Duckett and fines imposed on Brook, have prompted a call for improved player conduct.
Brook, who is set to lead the team at the T20 World Cup, issued a statement expressing regret for his actions and the embarrassment caused. The ECB has faced scrutiny over the team’s culture, with director of cricket Rob Key under pressure to address the drinking culture within the squad.
A review has been initiated by ECB chief executive Richard Gould post-Ashes, focusing on tour planning, individual performance, and behavior to enhance adaptability and responsiveness. The team is striving to learn from past mistakes and uphold higher standards of professionalism both on and off the field.