England captain Joe Root admitted he was “really hacked off” and “really disappointed” by the nightclub incident involving fast bowler Brydon Carse, saying another off-field controversy had overshadowed the team’s emphatic victory over Pakistan in the first Test.
England beat Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs at Headingley, but the result was quickly followed by footage of Carse being handcuffed by police outside a nightclub in Derby. The incident occurred after Carse had played for Durham against Derbyshire in the County Championship.
Carse was subsequently withdrawn from England’s squad for the second Test against Pakistan at Lord’s, with the Cricket Regulator investigating the incident. Sonny Baker was called up as his replacement.
‘CARSE IS APOLOGETIC’
“If I’m being brutally honest, I’m really hacked off, I’m really disappointed,” Root told reporters. “After last week’s performance, we’re sat here and we’re talking about something that is not related to it at all.”
Root said his first concern after hearing about the incident was Carse’s well-being. He also revealed that the fast bowler had apologised and understood the seriousness of his actions.
“I’ve spoken to Brydon, and when I first found out my main concern was him as a person,” Root said. “I don’t think I’m speaking out of turn by saying he’s very upset, very apologetic and understands his actions. I’m sure that when he gets his chance he will say that himself.
“But I don’t think it’s the isolated incident itself, it’s the fact we keep making stupid mistakes away from the game and it’s detracting from what we’re doing on the field.”
Carse was not on England duty when the incident happened. He had been released to play for Durham after being left out of England’s XI for the first Test. Police said a man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly in Derby city centre on Saturday night and was de-arrested shortly afterwards after agreeing to leave the area.
The ECB referred the incident to the Cricket Regulator, which confirmed it would investigate the events. Carse will not be available for selection for the second Test while the investigation continues.
ROOT WANTS THE TRUST BACK
The Carse incident is the latest in a series of off-field controversies involving England players.
White-ball captain Harry Brook was involved in an incident outside a nightclub in Wellington last year, while Ben Duckett was filmed apparently drunk during England’s Ashes tour of Australia.
Earlier this summer, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were involved in a nightclub incident in London after England’s Test victory over New Zealand. The pair later received written warnings after breaching specific contractual obligations.
Root said the repeated incidents were damaging England’s image and that the players had to accept responsibility for changing perceptions.
“In many ways we’re going to have to earn a lot of trust back, and it’s something that we’re going to have to live and breathe consistently,” Root said.
“I might only be in this dressing room for a couple more years, but there is a group of players there who might be in there for another 10.”
Root had recently removed the midnight curfew that had been introduced following a number of drink-related incidents. He defended that decision but acknowledged that it placed greater responsibility on the players to make the right choices.
“I’ve made it very clear how we want to conduct ourselves, and now we’ve got to live it and show people what I see day in, day out in the dressing room, which is a group of characters who know what it means to play for England and not having incidents define how we are seen as players,” he said.
“That’s going to take some work and time.”
‘NOT A GOOD LOOK’
Root also confirmed he had spoken to former England captain Stokes, who was present during the Derby night out, although he said their conversation was focused on checking on Carse’s wellbeing.
Root said he would not be involved in deciding any disciplinary punishment for Carse because the matter was now with the regulator.
“I don’t think the recent past has been a good look,” Root said. “It’s our responsibility to change that. I see the dressing room every day and how we operate around cricket and it’s very impressive. But at the same time, I can understand why we are viewed in a certain way and in a certain light at the moment.”
Root insisted England’s focus had to be on changing that perception rather than allowing off-field controversies to define the team.
“That’s what lies ahead of us, to change that. I just think, if we don’t put ourselves in certain situations, it’s not something we will have to worry about.”
England will face Pakistan in the second Test at Lord’s from Thursday.
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