England have left Brydon Carse out of their squad for the second Test against Pakistan as an investigation into allegations of assault at a Derby nightclub continues. The Durham fast bowler has been excluded from the upcoming Lord's Test as the Cricket Regulator looks into the rowdy behavior of the Durham player, and the England and Wales Cricket Board (EWCB) is yet to respond to requests for comment.
Brydon Carse was photographed on Saturday night outside Molly Malone's Tavern in Derby city centre, in police custody after his team Durham had secured a County Championship victory of 338 runs over the hosts Derbyshire. The 31-year-old fast bowler was spotted chatting to police officers, spending more than half an hour being restrained, even though he was not arrested or charged.
Brydon Carse Replaced by Sonny Baker
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has referred the case to the Cricket Regulator, who will investigate the matter and determine the facts surrounding the case. Carse was not with the England team, having been released from the Test squad to play for Durham, but he is under contract to the ECB.
“Following a referral from the ECB, the cricket regulator has confirmed that they will investigate events that happened on Saturday night in Derby. Brydon Carse will not be available for selection for the Second Men's Rothesay Test Match while the matter is investigated and the facts established,” said the ECB. “Sonny Baker will be the nominee for selection in the squad.”
Brydon Carse was recalled to the England squad for the second Test, but he has now been replaced by Baker, who has one Test win to his name, over New Zealand in June.
It was reported that Brydon Carse was denied re-entry to the nightclub after an alleged row with another guest over a spilled drink. Durham, who does not employ Carse, say they will take no further action.
In the videos uploaded to social media, it can be seen that a former England captain, Ben Stokes, was also in the vicinity. England's pace bowler Matthew Potts discussed the incident with security and police.
England's Players Face Off-Field Scrutiny Again
Brydon Carse's exclusion follows similar episodes involving other England players. Stokes and Gus Atkinson were excluded from England's second Test squad against New Zealand at The Oval in mid-August after an investigation into a late-night row at a bar. Atkinson was in a brawl with a Saracens rugby player, but the ECB said he was not the aggressor.
Stokes was also at the establishment but did not participate in the fight. England's cricket team faced additional off-field controversy before the recent Ashes series in Australia when Harry Brook was punched in the face by a nightclub bouncer in Wellington, New Zealand. Brook was fined, but the amount was not disclosed publicly until the conclusion of the Ashes.
Brydon Carse was one of the members of the England Ashes squad who excelled in the 2022/23 season, recording the most wickets for England. However, he was not expected to play a significant role in the second Test match against Pakistan, as he was released to play for Durham. This is not the first time that Carse has faced scrutiny away from the cricket pitch.
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Joe Root, the captain of the England team, now faces a dilemma as he deals with his first major disciplinary problem as a leader. The 35-year-old Yorkshireman has faced numerous challenges during his second captaincy, including calling off the team's curfew after the fifth Ashes Test match at his first press conference as captain. The Ashes was a disastrous tour for England, culminating in a 4–1 loss to Australia, despite several late-night drinking binges.
Carse's row in a Derby bar took place only five days after Root told reporters, “I want us to be good human beings.” On Monday, the squad's 15-man party was set to arrive in London for the second Test against Pakistan. England, victorious in the first Test against Pakistan, has a 1-0 series lead over the hosts, having scored an innings and 103 runs victory.
The second Test match will commence at Lord's on Thursday, August 27.