Derbyshire Police have officially closed their investigation into the alleged assault involving England cricketer Brydon Carse, meaning the player will not be charged with any offence. The incident, which took place outside a nightclub in Derby, sparked a media frenzy last month and resulted in Carse missing the second and third Tests of England's series against Pakistan.
The 31‑year‑old fast‑bowler had been out celebrating a County Championship victory with his Durham teammates when he was seen being handcuffed by police in the early hours of 23 August. Video footage showed Carse chatting with fellow bowler Matthew Potts, while former England captain Ben Stokes could be spotted in the background.
The scene quickly turned into a headline‑grabbing story, leading to Carse's immediate removal from the England squad ahead of the second Test and his subsequent exclusion from the final match of the series. Derbyshire Police released a statement confirming that the investigation into the alleged assault had been concluded without further action.
"Officers attended Molly Malones in the Wardwick, Derby, in the early hours of Sunday 23 August. A man was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and was then de‑arrested after his details were taken by officers," the statement read. After speaking with the alleged victim, who was identified and gave a statement, the police determined that no criminal charge was warranted. With the criminal matter now closed, the case has been handed over to the independent Cricket Regulator, which will decide whether Carse faces any disciplinary sanctions for his conduct.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has not yet commented publicly on the regulator's forthcoming decision. Despite the off‑field controversy, Carse has continued to feature for Durham in the domestic competition.
He played a key role in Durham's successful campaign to win the Division Two title of the Rothesay County Championship, delivering several crucial wickets and contributing valuable lower‑order runs. However, his international prospects have stalled.
After being dropped from the Test squad, Carse was also omitted from the white‑ball series against Sri Lanka, even though he remained technically eligible for selection. England's limited‑overs head coach, former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, addressed the situation during a recent press briefing. "I've spoken to Carsey a lot and it's the same message – you need to make good decisions off the field that allow you to be the best version of yourself," McCullum said.
He added that the incident presented Carse with an opportunity to "get his house in order" and work towards earning selection again when the next chance arises. Test captain Joe Root also weighed in ahead of the Lord's Test, describing himself as "hacked off" by the growing tally of alcohol‑related incidents involving England players. Regarding Carse, Root said, "I don't think I'm speaking out of turn in saying he's very upset, very apologetic and understands his actions.
I'm sure when he gets his chance, he will say that himself." The episode has reignited a broader conversation about player behaviour and the responsibilities that come with representing the national side. In recent years, England cricket has faced scrutiny over several high‑profile incidents involving alcohol, prompting calls for stricter off‑field guidelines and support systems for players. While Carse awaits the regulator's verdict, the focus remains on his on‑field performance.
His ability to bounce back will depend on both his form with Durham and his willingness to demonstrate personal growth. The next few months will be crucial, as England prepares for a series of limited‑overs fixtures and looks ahead to the upcoming Ashes.
Fans can still catch England's third T20 against Sri Lanka live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event, starting at 2:30 pm on Saturday. For those interested in streaming options, Sky Sports offers various deals, including a no‑contract option through NOW.