Archive · 24 Aug 2026
England Drop Brydon Carse Amid Cricket Regulator Investigation
England fast bowler Brydon Carse was removed from the squad for the next Test against Pakistan.
Videos online appeared to show him in handcuffs outside a venue in Derby.
The reports do not say that he was arrested or charged.
England’s cricket board asked the Cricket Regulator to investigate what happened.
Carse will not be considered for the match while the investigation continues.
Sonny Baker has been added to the squad instead.
The incident happened after Carse attended celebrations for Durham’s county title win.
Former England player Steve Harmison said cricket must take player behavior seriously.
He also said the sport needs to examine its drinking culture and how players act as role models.
Brydon Carse was made unavailable for England’s second Test against Pakistan after videos appeared to show him in handcuffs outside a Derby venue.
The England and Wales Cricket Board referred the incident to the Cricket Regulator, which is investigating while it gathers the full facts.
Reports said Carse was not arrested and was released without charge.
Sonny Baker will replace Carse in England’s squad for the Lord’s Test, beginning Thursday.
Former England bowler Steve Harmison said the episode highlights cricket’s drinking culture and the need for greater player accountability.
- Who
- England fast bowler Brydon Carse, the England and Wales Cricket Board, the Cricket Regulator, and replacement Sonny Baker are central to the story.
- What
- Carse was made unavailable for England’s second Test against Pakistan while the Cricket Regulator investigates an off-field incident.
- When
- The incident occurred on Saturday night, and the ECB announced Carse’s squad removal on Monday; the second Test starts Thursday.
- Where
- The incident took place outside a nightclub, club, or venue in Derby; the second Test is scheduled at Lord’s.
- Why
- The ECB referred the matter to the Cricket Regulator after social-media videos appeared to show Carse in handcuffs, pending clarification of the full facts.
Stricter Conduct Measures
Greater Player Responsibility
How cricket should respond
Stricter Conduct Measures
Steve Harmison argued that cricket must draw a line, address its drinking culture, and ensure players behave as role models, while warning against simply making Carse a scapegoat for wider problems.
Greater Player Responsibility
The ECB removed its night-curfew restrictions and said players should carry responsibility for their own careers and conduct as professional sportspeople.
Carse’s immediate treatment
Stricter Conduct Measures
Carse was made unavailable for selection while the investigation takes place, which reflects the view that the incident requires a formal response before the facts are settled.
Greater Player Responsibility
Reports said Carse was not arrested or charged, and the regulator’s investigation is intended to establish the full facts rather than determine guilt immediately.
- Player
- Brydon Carse, a 31-year-old England and Durham fast bowler
- Incident
- Social-media videos appeared to show Carse in handcuffs outside a Derby venue
- Police outcome
- Reports said he was not arrested, released, and not charged
- Investigation
- The Cricket Regulator is investigating after a referral from the ECB
- Squad change
- Sonny Baker will replace Carse for the second Test
- Match
- England will play Pakistan in the second Test at Lord’s, starting Thursday
- Recent context
- The incident follows earlier scrutiny involving Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson after a nightclub incident
