England have taken some measures ahead of the twin white-ball series in Sri Lanka and the ICC T20 World Cup. The measures include a curfew of 12 am midnight for players, who have staged several incidents of alcoholism and indiscipline over the past few months and series.
England Cricket has struggled with their recent form across series. They lost the New Zealand ODI series by a margin of 3-0 ahead of the Ashes, and then were fortunate enough to avoid a whitewash in the Ashes, as they lost 4-1 to the Aussies.
Following the terrible form of the Three Lions in Oceania, the ECB has reviewed their performance and has found significant complaints on the indiscipline of their cricketers, who have been accused of acute alcoholism, and such incidents have also surfaced, making the claims sustainable.
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Midnight Curfew on the cards for England players ahead of the T20 World Cup
As per the latest reports in DailyMail, the England cricketers will be subjected to a midnight curfew for the rest of the winter following their lack of discipline during the Ashes and the New Zealand tour that preceded it.
England will be off to the subcontinent for the twin white-ball series against Sri Lanka and will next feature in the ICC T20 World Cup in India. Though no notification has been issued to English cricketers, Harry Brook’s side will likely be reminded of their responsibilities as international cricketers representing their nation on a global platform.
Hence, the reports claim that they will be issued an ultimatum to return to the team hotel premises before midnight, 12 am, on tours with the national side. This decision was considered after several drinking incidents were reported over the past few months.
The Ashes defeat and NZ whitewash prompt a rethink of player freedom
Multiple drinking incidents were noted following the 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand in ODIs and the 4-1 defeat to Australia. During the Ashes, the infamous Noosa incidents had the spotlight as footage went viral, where England cricketer Ben Duckett was seen in an intoxicated state.
Youngster Jacob Bethell, who scored his maiden century in Australia at the SCG, was also spotted in a nightclub alongside Ben Duckett. There were also reports of high alcohol consumption as England players stayed in a casino complex hotel in Perth.
Ahead of the final game against New Zealand, Harry Brook was fined a massive 30000 euros when he indulged in an altercation with a nightclub bouncer hours before the third and final ODI defeat by the Kiwis.
Such incidents have prompted the English management to reconsider bringing back the curfew, which was once introduced by the former Director of Cricket, Andrew Strauss. However, after Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes’ appointment, it was scrapped.
England begins coaching shake-up with eyes on a T20 World Cup triumph
While the adults’ treatment backfired, with England losing their discipline, as they attempted to win a fourth global title against all odds in March. England pointed out the lack of a fielding coach after several missed chances during the Ashes.
Now, Carl Hopkinson has been appointed as the fielding coach for the ICC T20 World Cup and will take over the role from the T20I leg of the Sri Lanka series. Alongside the fielding coach, England would make another change in their coaching staff during the Sri Lanka tour.
David Saker will hand over the bowling coach duties to Tim Southee midway through the Sri Lanka series, while Richard Dawson and Jeetan Patel will continue with the side.
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