Brydon Carse withdrawn from Pakistan Test; nightclub incident sparks investigation
What's the story
Fast bowler Brydon Carse has been withdrawn from England's squad for the second Test against Pakistan. The decision comes after an incident wherein he was seen being handcuffed outside a nightclub in Derby on Saturday night. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is now investigating the matter, leading to Carse's withdrawal from the English squad until further notice.
Investigation details
ECB launches investigation
The ECB has confirmed that it is looking into the events of Saturday night in Derby.
"Brydon Carse will no longer be available for selection for the Second Men's Rothesay Test Match while this investigation is ongoing and the full facts are obtained," read an official statement from the board.
Carse is unlikely to play any upcoming matches until the inquiry concludes.
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Video of the incident
A short video showing Carse in handcuffs was recently published by The Telegraph.
The footage shows him surrounded by police officers with his arms behind his back, talking to his Durham teammate Matthew Potts.
Ben Stokes, the former England captain who bowled Durham to victory on Saturday, is also seen in the background of this video.
Squad change
Sonny Baker replaces Carse
With Carse's withdrawal, Hampshire seamer Sonny Baker has been added to the England squad as a replacement.
The decision comes after Carse was due to join his teammates in London on Monday evening for a training session at Lord's on Tuesday.
However, with the ongoing investigation and his subsequent withdrawal from selection, Baker will now fill in for him.
Previous issues
Nightclub incident follows past controversies
Reports suggest that Carse was released without any charges after the nightclub incident. The ECB is aware of the situation and is investigating it further.
This isn't the first time an England cricketer has been involved in such a controversy.
Last year, during their winter tour of Australia, several off-field incidents marred the team's reputation, including a mid-Ashes break in Noosa and Harry Brook being punched by a nightclub bouncer in Wellington.
Concerns
Stokes and Atkinson were suspended
The incident comes as a major embarrassment for the ECB and raises more questions about curfews and players' relationship with alcohol.
Stokes and Gus Atkinson were suspended pending an investigation into their celebrations after England's first Test of the summer against New Zealand.
They were later cleared of any involvement in violent conduct at a nightclub but given written warnings after breaching "specific contractual obligations."