England fast bowler Brydon Carse has been stood down from the second Test against Pakistan after footage emerged showing him handcuffed by police outside a nightclub in Derby, with cricket’s independent regulator now investigating the incident following a referral from the ECB.
England cricketer Brydon Carse has been withdrawn from the squad for the second Test against Pakistan following an incident at a nightclub in Derby on Saturday night. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the decision after footage emerged showing the fast bowler handcuffed by police outside the venue. The Cricket Regulator, an independent body responsible for disciplinary matters in English cricket, has now opened an investigation into the incident following a referral from the ECB, which said Carse would remain unavailable for selection while the “full facts” are established.
What happened in Derby
The nightclub incident took place after Carse had played for Durham in their County Championship victory over Derbyshire, a match in which he took two wickets and scored 26 runs. Footage from the scene also showed Durham teammate Matthew Potts speaking to Carse, with England captain Ben Stokes visible nearby. There has been no suggestion that either player was involved in the incident under investigation. According to reports following the incident, Carse was released without charge.
Impact on the squad
Carse had been expected to join up with England’s squad in London on Monday evening, ahead of a training session at Lord’s on Tuesday, but was instead stood down from selection. Sonny Baker has been named as his replacement in England’s 16-man squad for the second Test.
The second Test against Pakistan is due to begin at Lord’s on Thursday, 27 August, and run through to 31 August. England go into the match leading the three-match series 1-0, having won the opening Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs.
A history of disciplinary issues
This is not the first time Carse has faced disciplinary scrutiny. He previously received a three-month suspension in 2024 for historical betting offences, after placing 303 bets on cricket matches between 2017 and 2019. None of those bets involved matches in which he was playing.
The latest incident also comes shortly after England captain Joe Root removed the team’s midnight curfew, a rule that had been introduced following previous alcohol-related and off-field incidents involving England players.
