England fast bowler Brydon Carse has been ruled out of the second Test against Pakistan after police arrested him on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly. The 31-year-old was arrested outside a bar in Derby on Saturday (August 22) night after Durham’s County Championship win over Derbyshire.
Carse had been released to play for Durham after missing England’s squad for the first Test at Headingley, which the Joe Root-led team won by an innings and 103 runs inside three days. The pacer made his Test debut against Pakistan in Multan in October 2024 and has taken 58 wickets in 14 Test matches.
Brydon Carse Removed from England Squad After Derby Incident
Brydon Carse has been removed from England’s squad for the second Test against Pakistan after a brief arrest. The 31-year-old was released after the incident, but the Cricket Regulator is investigating the matter. Sonny Baker has replaced him in England’s squad.
A video later showed Carse surrounded by police officers and being led away from a venue in Derby. His Durham teammates Ben Stokes and Matthew Potts were also seen in the footage, but there is no evidence that either player was involved in any wrongdoing.
The incident came only days after Joe Root said England had relaxed their midnight curfew and expected players to act like “grown adults”. Carse previously received a three-month ban in May 2024 after the Cricket Regulator found him guilty of placing 303 bets on cricket matches between 2017 and 2019.
Brydon Carse Could Return for Durham Against Gloucestershire
Brydon Carse remains available to play for Durham while the investigation continues. Telegraph Sport journalist Will Macpherson confirmed that the fast bowler could feature in Durham’s County Championship match against Gloucestershire on Thursday.
“Carse is available for Durham while all this goes on - starting with Thursday's game against Glos,” Will Macpherson wrote on X.
Carse is available for Durham while all this goes on - starting with Thursday's game against Glos https://t.co/vyOEgXEn0C
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) August 24, 2026
Carse might therefore make his comeback for Durham against Gloucestershire, but his selection is not confirmed yet. Durham will decide whether to include him in the playing XI. Carse had been released to play for the county after missing England’s first Test against Pakistan at Headingley.
Brydon Carse Joins Unwanted List of England Players
Earlier this year, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were suspended for one Test after breaking the team curfew following England’s win over New Zealand at Lord’s. Both received written warnings after a security official was injured at a nightclub. Stokes retired from international cricket after the series.
England white-ball captain Harry Brook was also fined £30,000 after a nightclub incident in Wellington last year. During the 2025-26 Ashes, videos of England players allegedly drinking heavily also circulated on social media, including footage involving opening batter Ben Duckett.
Carse has played 14 Tests since making his debut against Pakistan in Multan in October 2024. He has taken 58 wickets at an average of 30.18, including one five-wicket haul and four four-wicket hauls. His future with England will now depend on the outcome of the Cricket Regulator’s investigation.
