Brydon Carse Axed from England Squad for Lord's Test vs Pakistan After Nightclub Handcuff Incident
Brydon Carse has been removed from England's squad for the Second Men's Rothesay Test against Pakistan at Lord's after an off-field incident led to a Cricket Regulator investigation. Fast bowler Sonny Baker, 23, has been called up as cover for the match, which begins on August 27, 2026.
England's preparations for the Second Men's Rothesay Test Match against Pakistan have been rocked by controversy, as fast bowler Brydon Carse has been withdrawn from the squad. The decision comes after the Cricket Regulator confirmed it would investigate an incident on Saturday night in Derby where the 31-year-old was reportedly seen handcuffed by police outside a nightclub. While Carse was reportedly de-arrested and not charged, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has referred the matter for formal inquiry. Brydon Carse Handcuffed by Police in Derby Nightclub Incident, ECB Launches Investigation (Video).
"Following a referral from the ECB, the Cricket Regulator have confirmed that they will investigate events on Saturday night in Derby," an ECB statement read on Monday, August 24, 2026. "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."
Sonny Baker Steps Up for Lord's Showdown
In Carse's absence, Hampshire's promising right-arm fast bowler, Sonny Baker, has been called into the England squad as bowling cover. The 23-year-old, who made his Test debut earlier this summer against New Zealand, will now join the team ahead of the crucial Lord's fixture.
Baker, born on March 13, 2003, is highly regarded for his express pace, consistently bowling in the high 80s to early 90s mph with late inswing. He earned an England development contract in February 2025 and has impressed for England Lions, including a maiden First-Class five-wicket haul against Surrey.
Brydon Carse Nightclub Incident and Broader Context
The incident involving Carse occurred on Saturday, August 22, 2026, following Durham's County Championship victory over Derbyshire. Social media footage reportedly showed Carse being detained by police outside Molly Malone's Tavern in Derby city centre. While he was in handcuffs for a short period, Derbyshire Police later confirmed he was de-arrested after agreeing to leave the area.
This latest off-field episode adds to a series of alcohol-related incidents that have plagued the England men's team over the past nine months. Only in June, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were left out of a Test against New Zealand following a nightclub incident, though the Regulator later found insufficient evidence of a breach in that case. Former England captain Ben Stokes and current bowler Matthew Potts were also reportedly present at the Derby nightclub on Saturday but are not implicated in any wrongdoing.
Carse, who was England's leading wicket-taker during the previous Ashes series, has previously faced disciplinary action, serving a three-month ban in 2024 for historic betting violations. He had also missed the first half of 2026 due to a hand injury.
The Second Men's Rothesay Test Match between England and Pakistan is scheduled to take place at Lord's, London. The investigation by the Cricket Regulator will continue as England look to refocus on their on-field performance against Pakistan in the vital Lord's Test.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 24, 2026 09:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
