Brydon Carse was dropped from England's squad for the second Test against Pakistan after footage showed him in police handcuffs outside a bar in Derby on the evening of August 22, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4]. The 31-year-old seamer was briefly restrained but was not arrested or charged in the incident [1, 2, 3].
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) referred the matter to the Cricket Regulator for investigation. An ECB statement said the regulator would "investigate events on Saturday night in Derby" and Carse "will no longer be available for selection for the second men's Test while this investigation is ongoing" [1].
The incident came less than 48 hours before Carse was due to join the England camp in London ahead of the second Test at Lord's, which starts on August 27 [1, 2]. Carse had been released from the first Test squad and was playing for Durham in a County Championship match prior to the incident [1, 2].
Former England captain Ben Stokes and Durham teammate Matthew Potts were present near the scene at Molly Malone's Tavern in Derby when Carse was filmed in handcuffs [1, 2, 3]. Sonny Baker has been named as Carse's replacement in the squad for the Lord's Test [1, 2, 3].
The episode adds to a recent string of off-field disciplinary issues within the England team, including breaches of curfew and drinking-related incidents [1, 2, 3, 4]. England captain Joe Root expressed frustration that off-field problems are overshadowing the squad’s strong start in the series, where they lead Pakistan 1-0 [4]. "If I’m being brutally honest, I’m really hacked off," Root said, lamenting the distraction from the team's on-field success [4]. He also noted the team’s curfew, introduced in January, had been removed before the Pakistan series began [2, 4].
The ECB and Cricket Regulator’s investigation is ongoing as England prepare for the second Test, with Carse unavailable for selection until the matter is resolved [1].
