Derbyshire Police are investigating allegations of assault in Derby city centre following the weekend incident in which England fast bowler Brydon Carse was briefly arrested and later de-arrested. No arrests have been made in relation to the assault investigation, and there is currently no clarity over whether Carse had any involvement in the alleged assault.
The development adds a police investigation to a case already being examined separately by the Cricket Regulator. Carse, 31, has been removed from England’s squad for the second Test against Pakistan at Lord’s while that process continues.
Derbyshire Police said in a statement: “We are investigating allegations of assault in Derby city centre. No arrests have yet been made and the investigation is ongoing.”
Police investigation follows Carse incident
As previously reported by cricexec, Carse was briefly arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly in Derby city centre on Saturday night before being de-arrested after agreeing to leave the area.
The incident occurred after Carse had represented Durham in their County Championship victory over Derbyshire. Matthew Potts and former England Captain Ben Stokes were also seen in footage from the scene, with no suggestion that either was involved in wrongdoing.
Carse had been due to rejoin England after his county appearance, having been left out of the XI for the opening Test against Pakistan. Instead, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) referred the incident to the Cricket Regulator, and the fast bowler was made unavailable for selection for the second Test while the circumstances are investigated.
Carse has since been selected in Durham’s County Championship team for their match against Gloucestershire.
Root addresses England’s off-field conduct
The episode has also brought further scrutiny to England players’ conduct away from cricket following other incidents involving members of the squad.
England Test Captain Joe Root, speaking at the pre-match press conference about the Carse incident, said: “If I’m being brutally honest I’m really hacked off.”
Root has spoken directly with the fast bowler since the events in Derby. He added: “I’ve spoken to Brydon and when I first found out my first concern was him as a person. 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.”
England had previously introduced a midnight curfew following off-field incidents before Root removed the restriction after beginning his second spell as Test Captain, placing responsibility on players to manage their own conduct.
Root continued: “But it’s not the isolated incident itself, it’s the fact we continuously keep making stupid mistakes away from the game and it’s detracting from what we are doing on the field.”
Separate investigations remain ongoing
The Cricket Regulator’s process concerns the circumstances surrounding the Derby incident and has already affected Carse’s immediate international availability. The subsequent police investigation concerns allegations of assault in Derby city centre.
No arrests have yet been made as part of the assault investigation. Carse’s involvement, if any, in those allegations has not been established, while Derbyshire Police have confirmed that their investigation remains ongoing.
