England Drops Brydon Carse for 2nd Pakistan Test After Derby Handcuff Incident

3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 24

Brydon Carse, 31, was removed from England’s squad for the second Pakistan Test after the Cricket Regulator opened an investigation into a Derby incident and Sonny Baker was called up instead.
Social media footage showed Carse in handcuffs outside a bar on Saturday night, less than 48 hours before he was due to join the squad at Lord’s; he was later released without charge.
The ECB said Carse will be unavailable for selection while the investigation establishes the full facts, extending a summer in which he became the third England player to miss a Test for disciplinary reasons.
The case adds to scrutiny of England’s off-field culture after Joe Root relaxed curfew and alcohol rules, even as he urged players before the Pakistan series to be better role models.
Carse, who served a 3-month ban in 2024 for historical betting offences, has since become a key all-format bowler, with 58 Test wickets since his October 2024 debut.