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Carse Ruled Out of Pakistan Test Amid Investigation

England pacer Brydon Carse would not be available for selection for the second Test against Pakistan as he is under investigation for a nightclub incident in Derby on Saturday night. Carse was released to play for Durham in the County Championship after missing out on selection for the first Leeds Test and celebrated their win over Derbyshire on Saturday.

On Sunday, a video emerged of the pacer being surrounded by cops and being led away from the venue, which was reported to be Molly Malone's Irish Tavern in Derby. As per Cricinfo, he was also briefly arrested on suspicion of being drunk and acting disorderly at the venue. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Sunday that the matter would be investigated and the issue was referred to the independent Cricket Regulator.

Now, it has been confirmed that the Cricket Regulator will investigate the pacer's behaviour, ruling him out of selection for the Test match at Lord's starting from August 27. Now, Hampshire quick Sonny Baker, who has played a Test, ODI and T20I each for England, has been roped in as a replacement. A statement from the ECB said, "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. Brydon will be replaced in the squad for this match by Sonny Baker," concluded the statement. A spokesperson for the Derbyshire Constabulary told Cricinfo on Monday afternoon, "A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly in Derby city centre on Saturday night (22 August). However, the man was de-arrested shortly afterwards having agreed to leave the area."

Recurring Disciplinary Issues in England Cricket

The incident is another drinking/nightclub related controversy that has hit England cricket over the last year or so, coming just a week after Joe Root, once again appointed captain after the retirement of Ben Stokes, said that there would be no team midnight curfew and backed his players to "act like grown adults". Now, more questions could be raised about the team's behaviour and their relationship with alcohol/clubbing.

England white-ball skipper Harry Brook was fined and almost lost his captaincy after being hit by a nightclub bouncer during a tour to New Zealand last year, the night before an ODI match. Stories of England players, particularly Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell, drinking and partying, especially during their mid-tour break trip to Noosa during the Ashes also dominated the headlines in Australia. This summer, Stokes and pacer Gus Atkinson were suspended with an investigation pending in their conduct after winning the first Test against New Zealand, with Stokes and Atkinson alleged to have broken the team curfew protocols. While both were cleared of any involvement in violence in a nightclub, Stokes announced his retirement in the third and final Test of the series. Both were also given written warnings after "breaching specific contractual obligations".

Series and WTC Context

The first Test of the three-match series saw England defeat Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs. England are placed at seventh in the WTC standings with five wins, eight losses and a draw, with a points percentage of 29.76. (ANI)