England’s cricket team will have a set curfew in place for the upcoming T20 World Cup following recent incidents in New Zealand and Australia. The team faced disappointing results during their last two tours, with off-the-field incidents drawing attention due to alcohol-related issues.
In New Zealand, England suffered a 3-0 defeat in the One-Day International series before a 4-1 loss in the Ashes. Concerns were raised regarding the team’s conduct, particularly during a mid-series trip to Noosa, which was overshadowed by questions about their behavior. The situation worsened when Test vice-captain Harry Brook publicly apologized for a drunken altercation with a bouncer in New Zealand.
In response to these incidents, the England and Wales Cricket Board has implemented strict measures ahead of the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka and the T20 World Cup. Players are required to adhere to a curfew, returning to the team hotel before midnight. The team is set to play three ODIs and T20s in Colombo before heading to India and Sri Lanka for the World Cup in February.
The team’s behavior during the mid-Ashes break in Noosa raised concerns, with a video of Ben Duckett going viral for the wrong reasons. Additionally, Brook faced fines for a separate incident in Wellington in October.
Expressing regret for his actions, Brook, who is slated to captain England at the T20 World Cup, acknowledged his mistake and vowed to uphold the team’s standards going forward. The ECB has faced scrutiny over the team’s culture, with director of cricket Rob Key emphasizing the importance of responsible behavior among players.
A review was launched by ECB chief executive Richard Gould post-Ashes to address tour planning, individual performances, and behaviors, as well as the team’s ability to adapt and respond effectively to challenges.