England have removed Brydon Carse from the squad for their second Test against Pakistan, after the fast bowler was detained and handcuffed by police following an incident at a Derby nightclub.
Video footage of the 31-year old being escorted out of the nightclub on Saturday night, with former England captain Ben Stokes watching on in the background, spread rapidly across social media.
The incident followed county club Durham’s win over Derbyshire, in which Stokes further fuelled speculation of an Ashes comeback ahead of next year’s series with a pair of half-centuries and a second innings five-wicket haul.
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While Carse was “de-arrested” shortly afterwards, according to a Derby police statement, the England Cricket Board have confirmed an investigation is underway.
““Following a referral from the ECB, the Cricket Regulator have confirmed that they will investigate events on Saturday night in Derby,” a statement reads.
“Brydon Carse will no longer be available for selection for the second men’s Rothesay Test match while this investigation is ongoing and the full facts are obtained.”
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Fast bowler Sonny Baker, who debuted against New Zealand at the Oval in June, has been added to the squad in Carse’s place.
The 31-year old, who was England’s leading wicket-taker during last summer’s disastrous 4-1 Ashes loss, was not expected to return to the team for the Test, which begins at Lord’s on Thursday evening (AEST).
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Seamers Ollie Robinson, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue were excellent in securing an innings victory for England in the first Test at Headingley last week.
The incident is the latest in a series of off-field misdemeanours for England players in the last 12 months.
Stokes himself along with Atkinson was suspended for the second Test against New Zealand in June after breaching curfew, while vice-captain Harry Brook was involved in an altercation with a nightclub bouncer during a white-ball tour of New Zealand late last year.
It also comes just weeks after new captain Joe Root removed the team curfew imposed following much-publicised loose behaviour during last year’s Ashes – with a public call for players to be “really good role models”.
Writing in The Times, former England skipper Michael Atherton said the incident, coming so soon after Root’s show of trust, leaves Carse on “thin ice”.
Brydon Carse celebrates an Australian wicket at the MCG. Picture: Michael KleinSource: News Corp Australia
While Carse had been released from England duties to play for Durham, Atherton argued he “now finds himself at the mercy of not just the regulator but also a new captain and coach who will be keen to draw a line under such nonsense”.
“I’m not sure sportsmen should be held to a higher standard than anyone else, but an England cricketer does have a public profile and, therefore, has greater responsibility as a result,” Atherton wrote.
“As a new captain setting out his expectations, Root could not have been clearer on that.”
Speaking on English radio station talkSPORT, former fast bowler Steve Harmison was even blunter – while he believes it’s the sport of cricket, rather than the England team themselves, that has a drinking problem.
“It’s not a great look,” Harmison said.
“From what I’ve heard, he’s a little bit unlucky, but that statement from the ECB … copy and pasted, isn’t it?
“You’re just taking out Wellington, putting in Noose, and you’re taking out Noosa and putting in Derby. This is getting a little bit old hat.
“Cricket has a problem with alcohol. Cricket’s got a drinking culture – the England cricket team haven’t got a drinking culture.
“These players should know better now, with social media and everything that goes round the world, you just can’t get away with anything now.”