Tongue says Root has left England in no doubt over conduct standards

Skipper lays down the law as England seek to end off-field woes

LONDON: England captain Joe Root has laid down the law over the standards of behaviour he expects from his side as they deal with yet another off-field embarrassment, according to fast bowler Josh Tongue.

Brydon Carse was dropped from the squad for the second Test against Pakistan at Lord's starting Thursday.

The 31-year-old was referred to the Cricket Regulator after videos on social media appeared to show the seamer being led away by police in handcuffs following an incident at a nightclub in Derby last weekend.

England thrashed Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs in Root's first match back in charge at Headingley last week.

But a visibly annoyed Root declared himself "hacked off" Tuesday with the latest alcohol-fuelled incident involving an England cricketer, even though Carse was an unused squad member in Leeds.

Root revealed he had led his players in "robust" conversations, with Tongue telling reporters at Lord's on Wednesday: "We had a chat before training yesterday as Joe said. It was a very good conversation and he made it clear what he expects from us."

The 28-year-old paceman, who took eight wickets at Headingley, added: "I think we've just got to make sure we're as professional as we can be... Playing for England is obviously a privilege."

Carse's brief arrest was the latest in a series of drink-related controversies that have dogged England during the past 10 months.

Limited-overs captain Harry Brook was involved in an altercation with a nightclub bouncer in Wellington the evening before a one-day international in New Zealand.

Videos also circulated of opener Ben Duckett appearing drunk on a night out during England's 4-1 Ashes series loss in Australia.

And in June both former captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were stood down from the second Test against New Zealand following an incident at a London nightclub which came after they broke a curfew.

Stokes announced his shock retirement from international cricket during the third Test a few days later, paving the way for Root to return for a second spell as Test captain.

Tongue, who was out with Brook in Wellington, has become an England regular with 65 wickets in just 13 Tests at an average of 27.38.

"I just tried to move on from that (Wellington) situation really," he said.

"Things have been happening off the field, but I've been personally trying to sort of forget about it and try and play as best cricket as I can for England."

Tongue has yet to be involved in a side that have won a Test series, with England's last such victory against New Zealand in December 2024.

They have since drawn at home to India, been thrashed in Australia and lost at home to New Zealand in the final chapter of the Bazball era.

But victory at Lord's would leave England an unassailable 2-0 up in a three-match campaign against Pakistan.

"It'd be amazing to win a series," said Tongue. "We've just got to focus, make sure we play our best cricket, just be nice and relaxed out there and hopefully we get over the line."