England fast bowler Brydon Carse has been removed from the squad for the second Test against Pakistan while the Cricket Regulator investigates an incident involving the 31-year-old in Derby on Saturday night. Sonny Baker has been called into the squad in Carse’s place ahead of the Lord’s Test beginning Thursday.
The decision followed an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) referral to the Cricket Regulator, which will examine the events surrounding the incident. Carse had been due to join the England squad in London on Monday after representing Durham against Derbyshire.
Police confirm arrest and de-arrest
According to a video obtained by The Telegraph, Carse was seen with police outside a Derby nightclub. Durham teammate Matthew Potts was also present, while former England Captain Ben Stokes could be seen in the footage.
Derbyshire Constabulary subsequently provided further details about the police involvement. The force said in a statement: “A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly in Derby city centre on Saturday night (22 August). However the man was de-arrested shortly afterwards having agreed to leave the area.”
The incident came after Carse had played for Durham in their County Championship victory over Derbyshire. He had been released to represent his county after being left out of England’s XI for the opening Pakistan Test.
Cricket Regulator takes over investigation
The ECB initially began looking into the incident before referring the matter to the Cricket Regulator. With that process continuing, England has made Carse unavailable for the next match rather than keeping him in the selection pool.
The ECB said in a statement: “Brydon Carse will no longer be available for selection for the second men’s Test while this investigation is ongoing and the full facts are obtained.”
Baker will take Carse’s place in the squad, giving the 23-year-old another opportunity with the Test set-up after making his debut against New Zealand earlier in the summer. Carse had been part of England’s squad for the first two Tests against Pakistan but did not play in the series opener.
The fast bowler has become an established member of England’s attack since making his Test debut in October 2024. He has taken 58 Test wickets, while his 22 wickets during England’s 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia in 2025/26 made him the team’s leading wicket-taker in that series.
Incident follows changes to England’s curfew policy
Carse’s removal comes during a period of renewed attention on England players’ off-field conduct. Stokes and Gus Atkinson missed the second Test against New Zealand earlier this summer while an incident at a London nightclub was investigated, and both were subsequently given written warnings over their conduct.
England had introduced a midnight curfew in January following late-night incidents during the winter, including an episode involving White-Ball Captain Harry Brook and a nightclub bouncer in Wellington. Joe Root subsequently removed the curfew after beginning his second spell as England Test Captain.
Root set out his approach to player responsibility on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, saying: “My view on curfews is I don’t think they work, and if you want guys to take responsibility on the field they’ve got to be able to feel they can be grown adults off it and make good strong decisions off it.”
The latest case will now proceed through the Cricket Regulator rather than the ECB’s initial internal review. Carse will remain unavailable for selection for the second Pakistan Test while the investigation continues and the full circumstances are established.
