England National Cricket Team pacer Brydon Carse’s recent off-field incident has taken another turn after Derbyshire police confirmed that they are investigating an alleged assault in Derby city centre. The England fast bowler was briefly arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly before being de-arrested after agreeing to leave the area.
The development comes after Brydon Carse was removed from England’s squad for the second Test against Pakistan at Lord’s, with the Cricket Regulator also investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Police have not confirmed Carse’s involvement in the alleged assault.
Who is Brydon Carse and what did he do?
Brydon Carse is a 31-year-old England fast bowler who has represented the national side across formats. He made his Test debut in 2024 and became part of England’s red-ball plans after serving a ban for historic betting offences.
Carse was playing for Durham rather than being on England duty when the latest incident occurred. He had been involved in Durham’s County Championship victory over Derbyshire on Saturday before footage emerged the following morning showing him being led away by police officers in Derby.
According to Derbyshire police, a man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly in the city centre on August 22. He was subsequently de-arrested after agreeing to leave the area.
Brydon Carse was the person understood to have been involved. Durham teammates, including Ben Stokes and Matthew Potts, were also visible in footage from the night, although there has been no suggestion that either player committed an offence.
Brydon Carse dropped by England for 2nd Test against Pakistan
Carse’s removal from England’s squad came after the footage and details of his arrest emerged. He had been part of the squad for the opening Test against Pakistan at Headingley and was also initially selected for the Lord’s Test, despite not playing in Leeds.
The England and Wales Cricket Board referred the matter to the independent Cricket Regulator, which confirmed that it would investigate the events. Hampshire seamer Sonny Baker was subsequently brought into England’s squad as Carse’s replacement.
The timing has also drawn attention because England had recently relaxed their midnight curfew. Joe Root, speaking before the second Test, said he was disappointed by what had happened after discussing the matter with Carse.
Root added that Carse was upset and apologetic, while stressing that repeated off-field incidents could distract attention from England’s performances on the field.
England entered the Lord’s Test with a 1-0 lead after beating Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs at Headingley.
Brydon Carse arrest: Police investigate alleged assault in Derby
The latest development is separate from the initial drunk-and-disorderly arrest. Derbyshire police have now confirmed that an investigation into allegations of assault is underway in Derby city centre.
The force told the Telegraph that no arrests had been made in connection with the assault investigation and that inquiries were continuing. Importantly, police have not established publicly what role, if any, Carse had in the alleged assault.
That distinction is significant because the confirmed facts currently relate to his brief arrest for being drunk and disorderly and his subsequent de-arrest. The separate assault investigation remains ongoing.
Carse’s international future will therefore depend on the findings of the Cricket Regulator’s inquiry as well as any developments in the police investigation.
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