England’s fast‑bowling option Brydon Carse has been removed from the squad for the second Test against Pakistan at Lord's, following a disturbance outside a nightclub in Derby that is now under investigation by the Cricket Regulator. The decision was announced on Thursday, just before the match was set to begin, and Carse will not be eligible for selection while the inquiry is ongoing. Footage that surfaced online shows Carse, handcuffed, being escorted by police officers on Saturday night after Durham’s players had gone out to celebrate a County Championship victory over Derbyshire. In the video Carse can be seen speaking with teammate Matthew Potts, while former England captain Ben Stokes is visible in the background.
The incident took place after a night out in Derby city centre, where Derbyshire Police later issued a statement confirming that a man in his thirties was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly. The police added that the individual was released shortly after agreeing to leave the area. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) released a statement confirming that, after a referral from the board, the Cricket Regulator will examine the events that occurred on Saturday night. "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," the ECB said.
Carse’s omission comes at a time when England’s squad is already dealing with a number of off‑field issues. The team’s new captain, Joe Root, recently scrapped a midnight curfew that had been introduced after a series of alcohol‑related incidents during the winter tours of New Zealand and Australia. Nevertheless, the curfew removal has not eliminated concerns about player behaviour off the field.
The fast bowler had not been part of the England XI for the three‑day opening Test at Headingley, a match in which England recorded a comprehensive win over Pakistan. After that game Carse was released to play for Durham against Derbyshire, where he claimed two wickets and contributed 26 runs with the bat. Previously, Carse had been England’s leading wicket‑taker during the dominant 4‑1 Ashes series, but injuries have kept him out of the national side for some time. In Carse’s place, Sonny Baker – who made his Test debut against New Zealand at The Kia Oval in June – has been called up to the squad.
Baker’s inclusion adds another young seam‑bowler to a group that already includes Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, and other emerging talents. The incident is part of a broader pattern of off‑field controversies that have dogged the England set‑up in recent months. White‑ball captain Harry Brook was punched by a bouncer on the night before a One‑Day International in New Zealand last autumn.
During the Ashes, an unverified video appeared to show Ben Duckett drinking heavily while the team was on a break in the beach resort of Noosa. Earlier this summer, both Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson missed a Test against New Zealand after breaching the curfew to attend a Chelsea nightclub celebration.
While they avoided formal disciplinary action beyond written warnings, the episodes highlighted the tension between player freedoms and contractual obligations. Root has repeatedly urged his players to "be adults" and to take responsibility for their actions. The Carse episode is likely to reignite debate about how the England team manages alcohol consumption and nightlife activities, especially as the sport moves closer to high‑stakes fixtures. Former England bowler and Sky Sports analyst Stuart Broad commented on the situation during his "For the Love of Cricket" podcast, noting that it is difficult to pass judgement without full details.
"Whatever happened, it’s pretty daft," Broad said. "We’ll wait and see. It could have been ten at night, it could have been two in the morning, but whatever.
This isn’t something anyone wants to talk about, to be brutally honest." The second Test between England and Pakistan is being broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage beginning at 10 am on Thursday (first ball at 11 am). Fans can also stream the match via NOW. All games start at 11 am UK and Ireland time.
As the investigation proceeds, the England camp will have to manage both the on‑field challenge of facing a strong Pakistani side and the off‑field scrutiny that comes with high‑profile incidents. The outcome of the Cricket Regulator’s review will determine whether Carse can return to the squad for future matches, but for now his place in the Lord’s Test is firmly vacant.