The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has dropped Brydon Carse from the Test squad for the second game against Pakistan, scheduled to be played at Lord’s Cricket Ground from August 27 to 31. The England board has taken the decision after a video of Carse in handcuffs outside a nightclub surfaced on social media.
Carse, who didn’t get to play the first Test, was released to play county cricket for Durham. The Durham players went to a nightclub to celebrate their win over Derbyshire. Interestingly, Ben Stokes was also spotted in the viral video. He is playing for Durham following his retirement from international cricket.
“Following a referral from the ECB, the Cricket Regulator have confirmed that they will investigate events on Saturday night in Derby. 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,” the ECB said in a statement.
Carse has played 14 Tests, 30 ODIs and 14 T20Is since his debut in 2023. He might continue to play for Durham in county cricket. Stokes was also named in the Durham squad during his time away from the national team.
ECB dropped Stokes and Gus Atkinson
The ECB dropped Stokes and Gus Atkinson in the aftermath of the nightclub incident. They went to the club to celebrate England’s win over New Zealand in the first game of the three-match series. They weren’t included in the team for the second Test.
Both players returned for the third Test, which England lost. Stokes announced a shocking retirement from Test cricket during the game. There was a major shake-up in the backroom staff and Brendon stepped down as England’s Test coach.
Joe Root, who captained England in Stokes’ absence, made his return to the leadership group on a full-time basis and he is England’s Test captain. Stephen Fleming has replaced McCullum as England’s Test coach. He will continue to coach the Three Lions in white-ball cricket.