Root reads from same old script in latest episode of England’s off-field soap opera | Simon Burnton

England cricket captain Joe Root addressed off-field controversy at a press conference ahead of the second Test against Pakistan, continuing a pattern of players being questioned about nightclub incidents rather than cricket. The latest episode echoes a similar situation before the second Test against New Zealand, when Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were involved in a headline-grabbing nightclub incident in London. England managing director Rob Key had expressed frustration at the time, saying he was angry and disappointed to be discussing the matter given the team's efforts to improve their off-field conduct.