Root scraps England midnight curfew ahead of Pakistan series return

Joe Root has abolished England's midnight curfew as his first act since returning as Test captain. The curfew followed a turbulent spell: Ben Stokes broke it last summer, triggering a 2-1 defeat by New Zealand, his retirement, and Brendon McCullum's sacking. Root, who led England in 65 Tests from 2017 to 2022, captains against Pakistan at Headingley on 19 August.