LONDON: England captain Joe Root has made his expectations for player conduct clear as the team attempts to put a series of off-field controversies behind it, fast bowler Josh Tongue said on Wednesday.
England are preparing for the second Test against Pakistan at Lord’s, beginning Thursday, with a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after securing a dominant innings and 103-run victory at Headingley last week.
The team’s preparations, however, have been overshadowed by the latest disciplinary controversy involving fast bowler Brydon Carse.
Carse, 31, was left out of England’s squad for the Lord’s Test after being referred to the Cricket Regulator. Videos circulating on social media appeared to show the seamer being escorted by police following an incident at a nightclub in Derby last weekend.
Although Carse did not play in the opening Test, the incident prompted Root to publicly express his frustration and address the wider issue with his players.
Root said he was particularly unhappy with another alcohol-related incident involving an England cricketer and confirmed that he had held firm discussions with the squad about expected standards.
Tongue, who claimed eight wickets at Headingley, said the message from the captain had been straightforward.
“We had a chat before training yesterday,” Tongue said at Lord’s. “It was a very good conversation and he made it clear what he expects from us.”
The fast bowler stressed that representing England carries significant responsibility and said the players needed to maintain the highest possible level of professionalism.
England have faced several off-field incidents involving members of the squad over the past year.
Limited-overs captain Harry Brook was involved in an altercation with a nightclub bouncer in Wellington ahead of an ODI in New Zealand, while opener Ben Duckett was filmed during a night out in Australia during England’s Ashes campaign.
Former Test captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were also left out of England’s second Test against New Zealand in June following a nightclub incident after breaching a team curfew.
Stokes subsequently announced his retirement from international cricket during the third Test, leading to Root taking over the Test captaincy once again.
Tongue, who was also out with Brook during the Wellington incident, said he had chosen to move forward and concentrate on his cricket.
The 28-year-old has established himself as an important member of England’s Test attack, taking 65 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 27.38.
England’s recent Test record has been mixed. Their last series victory came against New Zealand in December 2024, followed by a drawn home series against India, a heavy Ashes defeat in Australia and a home series loss to New Zealand.
Tongue is yet to be part of an England team that has won a Test series, and he is determined to change that against Pakistan.
A victory at Lord’s would give England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
“It’d be amazing to win a series,” Tongue said. “We’ve just got to focus, make sure we play our best cricket, be nice and relaxed out there and hopefully get over the line.”
With Root back at the helm, England will now look to ensure that their performance on the field remains the main focus as they attempt to secure the series against Pakistan.