Brydon Carse arrested after nightclub incident, ECB launches investigation

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has launched an investigation into a nightclub incident involving fast bowler Brydon Carse, who was seen in handcuffs in a viral video outside and being taken away by the police. It marks another controversial incident in the last 12 months involving an England cricketer as the team’s drinking issues have come under public scrutiny.

Carse is a part of England’s squad for their first two Tests of the ongoing series against Pakistan. However, he was released to play for Durham in the County Championship after missing out on the playing XI in the series opener in Leeds.

The 31-year-old scored 26 runs and scalped two wickets across both innings in his team’s massive 338-run victory over Derbyshire. Carse was out with his teammates to celebrate their win when he got involved in an incident at the nightclub.

In a short video released by the Telegraph, Carse is seen surrounded by police officers, with his hands cuffed behind his back, as he speaks to Durham team-mate Matthew Potts. England's former captain Ben Stokes, who bowled Durham to victory, can also be seen in the background.

"We are aware of an incident which is reported to have taken place in Derby last night, and are currently investigating. We will provide a further update when possible,” the ECB said in a statement.

Durham bowler Brydon Carse, who is in England squad for second Test, was released without charge after a nightclub incident while celebrating victory over Derbyshire@willis_macp has the details ⤵️https://t.co/4YXyQWChe5 pic.twitter.com/zFKA3lgPVi

— Telegraph Cricket (@TeleCricket) August 23, 2026

Carse yet to play in ongoing summer

Carse was England's leading wicket-taker in the last Ashes series in 2025-26, but he’s yet to feature in an international match this summer. He missed the New Zealand series due to wrist and elbow injuries before being added late to the ODI squad for the India series. He was subsequently included in the Test squad after proving his fitness during a stint with Sunrisers Leeds in the Hundred.

Carse was due to rejoin the Test squad in London on Monday ahead of two days of training at Lord's before the second Test against Pakistan. However, his involvement in the match could now be in doubt in the aftermath of the incident. While Carse wasn’t on international duty, the incident is likely to raise questions on England players’ conduct off the field.

England's drinking issues highlighted time and again

Earlier in June, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were both suspended for a Test match after their celebrations following England's first Test of the summer against New Zealand. The pair were later cleared of any involvement in violent conduct at a nightclub but received written warnings for breaching "specific contractual obligations".

Since then, Stokes has retired from international cricket after returning for the last Test of the New Zealand series, and Joe Root has been handed the England Test captaincy. England have been in complete denial about their drinking problem in recent times despite the multiple incidents suggesting otherwise.

It remains to be seen how Root handles the situation, especially after he scrapped England's midnight curfew, saying that he trusts his players to act responsibly off the field.