England's fast‑bowling attack has been forced to adjust ahead of the second Test against Pakistan at Lord's, as Brydon Carse was removed from the squad following a police‑investigated incident outside a Derby nightclub on Saturday night. Video that surfaced shows the 27‑year‑old being handcuffed and escorted by officers after Durham teammates had gone out to celebrate a County Championship victory.
In the footage Carse can be seen speaking with fellow bowler Matthew Potts, while former England captain Ben Stokes appears in the background. The England roster for the match, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10 a.m.
(first ball at 11 a.m.), includes captain Joe Root, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith and Josh Tongue. With Carse out, Sonny Baker – who earned his Test debut against New Zealand at the Kia Oval in June – has been called up to fill the seamer slot.
Derbyshire Police issued a statement confirming that a man in his thirties was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly in the city centre on the night of August 22. The individual was released shortly thereafter after agreeing to leave the area. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) subsequently released its own statement, noting that, after a referral from the ECB, the Cricket Regulator will investigate the events that took place on Saturday night.
The regulator confirmed that Carse will not be considered for selection for the second men’s Rothesay Test while the inquiry is underway and the full facts are gathered. The incident arrives at a delicate time for the England side, which only two weeks ago scrapped a midnight curfew that had been introduced after a series of alcohol‑related problems on the winter tours of New Zealand and Australia.
The curfew had been a point of contention, and its removal was framed by captain Joe Root as a call for players to "behave like adults". Yet Carse's situation adds fresh pressure to that narrative, raising questions about the squad's discipline and the effectiveness of the new policy. Carse had not been selected for the opening Test at Headingley, a three‑day rout where England defeated Pakistan convincingly.
He was then released to play for Durham against Derbyshire, a match in which he claimed two wickets and contributed 26 runs with the bat. Prior to his injury‑related absence, Carse was England’s leading wicket‑taker during the 4‑1 Ashes series victory, making his omission from the squad all the more notable. Off‑field controversies have not been new for England cricket. White‑ball captain Harry Brook was punched by a bouncer the night before a One‑Day International in New Zealand last autumn.
During the Ashes, an unverified video appeared to show Ben Duckett appearing intoxicated while the team was on a break in Noosa, Australia. 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 following a series‑winning win at Lord's. Although they were cleared of violent conduct, they each received written warnings for violating specific contractual obligations.
Stuart Broad, now a Sky Sports pundit, weighed in on the Carse incident during his "For the Love of Cricket" podcast. He described the situation as "pretty daft" and emphasized that the details were still unclear, noting that the timing of the incident could range from early evening to the early hours of the morning.
Broad added that the episode was not something the team or its supporters wanted to focus on, expressing a desire to move past the distraction. The removal of Carse from the squad underscores the ongoing challenge England faces in balancing player freedom with professional responsibility.
While the curfew has been lifted, the team management continues to stress accountability, expecting players to make mature choices, especially when representing the nation on a global stage. Fans can watch the second Test live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event, with streaming options available through NOW. All matches start at 11 a.m. UK time, and the broadcast will feature pre‑match analysis, in‑game commentary, and post‑match interviews to provide a comprehensive view of the contest.
As the investigation proceeds, the cricketing community will be watching closely to see how the regulator’s findings influence future disciplinary measures and whether the ECB will consider reinstating any form of curfew or other behavioral guidelines. The outcome will likely shape the team’s culture heading into the remainder of the series and beyond, as England seeks to maintain its on‑field dominance while addressing off‑field conduct.