Derbyshire Police have confirmed they are investigating allegations of an assault following an incident where England fast bowler Brydon Carse was briefly detained in handcuffs outside a nightclub in Derby.
The episode took place in the early hours of Sunday (August 23) morning. Carse had been celebrating a County Championship win for Durham against Derbyshire when a confrontation reportedly began over a spilled drink.
Subsequently, the Cricket Regulator launched a probe into the matter. As a result, Carse was withdrawn from England’s squad for the upcoming second Test against Pakistan at Lord's.
The Police initially arrested him on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly. He was later "de-arrested" and released without charge after agreeing to leave the area. However, there has now been a major update from Derbyshire Police.
“We are investigating allegations of assault in Derby city centre,” Derbyshire Police said in a statement. “No arrests have yet been made and the investigation is ongoing.”
As of now, there is no clarity on Carse’s involvement in the alleged assault. Police had previously confirmed Carse’s detention after footage surfaced showing the England quick handcuffed in the street.
“A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly in Derby city centre on Saturday night,” the initial statement read.
“However, the man was de-arrested shortly afterwards having agreed to leave the area.”
Ahead of the Lord’s Test, England Test captain Joe Root expressed immense frustration, stating he is "really hacked off" and "really disappointed" with the nightclub incident involving Brydon Carse.
The disciplinary issue occurred just days after England's dominant victory by an innings and 103 runs over Pakistan in the first Test at Headingley.
Carse was not on active England duty when the event unfolded. He had been released to play for Durham and was celebrating their County Championship victory over Derbyshire alongside teammates Matthew Potts and Ben Stokes.
"If I'm being brutally honest, I'm really hacked off, I'm really disappointed," Root said in a press conference. "After last week's performance, we're sat here and we're talking about something that is not related to it at all."
He also revealed that Brydon Carse had apologised and understood the seriousness of his actions.
"I've spoken to Brydon, and when I first found out my main concern was him as a person," Root said. "I don't think I'm speaking out of turn by saying he's very upset, very apologetic and understands his actions. I'm sure that when he gets his chance he will say that himself.
"But I don't think it's the isolated incident itself, it's the fact we keep making stupid mistakes away from the game and it's detracting from what we're doing on the field."
This disciplinary investigation puts renewed spotlight on the England men’s team's off-field culture. Carse is the third England player to be sidelined this summer due to disciplinary issue, following separate incidents involving Stokes, Gus Atkinson, and Harry Brook.
