Brydon Carse Withdrawn From England Test As Cricket Regulator Investigates Nightclub Incident

England fast bowler Brydon Carse has been withdrawn from the squad for the second Test against Pakistan as the Cricket Regulator investigates an incident involving the player outside a nightclub in Derby.

The development represents another off-field setback for England, with videos circulating on social media appearing to show Carse in handcuffs while being escorted away by four police officers following an incident at a nightclub in central England on Saturday.

The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed that the matter had been referred to the Cricket Regulator, which has now opened an investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the governing body stated that Carse would not be available for selection for the second Men’s Rothesay Test while the investigation remains ongoing and further facts are established.

Footage reportedly showed Carse speaking with his Durham teammate Matthew Potts, while former England captain Ben Stokes was also seen in the background. The circumstances that led to Carse being escorted away by police have not been fully established.

Carse has not played for England in any format since the conclusion of the Ashes in January. A hand injury disrupted the beginning of his 2026 campaign and also forced him to miss the Indian Premier League.

The fast bowler was not selected for England’s opening Test against Pakistan, which the hosts won by an innings and 103 runs inside three days at Headingley.

Carse’s situation comes amid renewed scrutiny of England players following a series of alcohol-related incidents in recent months. The team introduced restrictions on players’ nights out in January after England’s difficult tour of New Zealand and Australia, where several off-field incidents attracted widespread attention.

White-ball captain Harry Brook had previously been involved in an altercation with a nightclub bouncer in Wellington, while videos also emerged appearing to show England players intoxicated during nights out amid the team’s 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia.

In June, Stokes and Gus Atkinson were issued written warnings and dropped for the second Test against New Zealand after breaching the team’s curfew following a night out at a London nightclub.

Stokes later announced his retirement from international cricket during the third Test against New Zealand, while red-ball coach Brendon McCullum was dismissed two weeks later.

Joe Root has since returned as England’s Test captain for a second spell. However, Root has indicated that he does not intend to reintroduce a curfew, arguing that players should be trusted to behave responsibly away from the field.

The latest investigation involving Carse is expected to attract further attention as England prepare for their second Test against Pakistan.