The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has decided to impose a midnight curfew on the England cricket team for their upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka and the T20 World Cup 2026.
ECB lays down the law
According to Daily Mail Sport, the ECB has already informed ODI and T20I captain Harry Brook and head coach Brendon McCullum about the restrictions placed. The team and management will be reminded of their responsibilities when they land in Sri Lanka later today.
As per the curfew guidelines, the players have to reach the team hotel premises by 12 at night. The rule applies during their entire stay in Sri Lanka and India, not just limited to match days. Unless granted permission in advance, no player is to violate the guidelines.
The ECB had taken the strict measures after multiple incidents occurred during England’s white-ball tour of New Zealand in 2025 and the 2025-26 Ashes. Brook, England’s white-ball captain, was at the center of these incidents.
England’s recent shenanigans
Although it came to light after England lost the Ashes 1-4, Brook had engaged in an altercation and was punched by a bouncer on the night before facing New Zealand in Wellington on November 1. In the aftermath, the ECB had issued a final warning and imposed a £30,000 fine (approximately INR 36 lakh) on Brook.
During the Ashes, England had organised a 6-day mid-series break in Noosa. During this break, which was described as a stag do by many, Ben Duckett was filmed leaving a drinking establishment late at night, in a condition where he couldn’t even speak properly.
England had stayed at a casino hotel during the Ashes, which also earned them criticism. In one such incident, while having lunch, Brydon Carse was helped by strangers in retrieving thousands of dollars that had flown out of his pocket.
