The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is contemplating the introduction of a strict curfew for players as concerns over alcohol consumption and off-field
discipline continue to mount in the aftermath of England's heavy Ashes defeat in Australia.
The proposal is reportedly being debated ahead of England's limited-overs trip to Sri Lanka and the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, which begins on February 7.
England's 4-1 Ashes loss has triggered a deep internal review, with team culture forming a major part of the discussion. According to The Times, senior officials are alarmed by reports of excessive drinking and a lack of professionalism during the tour, prompting calls for stronger behavioural guidelines.
The issues that surfaced during the Ashes paint a troubling picture. England's campaign was overshadowed by claims of players engaging in repeated late-night drinking sessions and frequenting casinos during the series. One account - also reported by The Times - described a six-day stretch between the Brisbane Tests where members of the touring party allegedly drank heavily in what was likened to a "stag weekend. "
Further damaging revelations emerged from a Telegraph report, which stated that England's squad stayed at Crown Towers, a high-end hotel linked directly to a major casino complex. Players were said to be regularly visible at gaming tables and bars, raising concerns over both discipline and public perception.
The problems are believed to have begun even earlier. The Times noted that England's white-ball tour of New Zealand saw early signs of slipping standards, well before Ben Stokes led the team into the Ashes. Adding to the turbulence, ODI captain Harry Brook was involved in an altercation only weeks before the squad left for Australia.
In response, the ECB is reviewing curfew options as part of a broader reset. This would not be the first such move; curfews were previously enforced during the 2017-18 Ashes following the Jonny Bairstow-Cameron Bancroft incident, and again after Stokes' infamous Bristol nightclub altercation. Ironically, Stokes lifted curfews entirely after assuming the captaincy in 2022.
England's next assignment - three ODIs and three T20Is in Sri Lanka from January 22 - may now serve as the first test of a stricter, more controlled environment ahead of their World Cup opener against Nepal on February 8.
