Police investigate assault allegations after Brydon Carse nightclub incident

Derbyshire Police have launched an investigation into allegations of assault following the weekend incident involving England fast bowler Brydon Carse outside a nightclub in Derby.

The Durham paceman was filmed being handcuffed by police after his county side’s Championship victory over Derbyshire. The incident has since led to Carse being left out of England’s squad for the second Test against Pakistan at Lord’s, which begins on Thursday.

What are Derbyshire Police investigating?

In an updated statement released late Wednesday, Derbyshire Police confirmed they were investigating an alleged assault in Derby city centre.

“We are investigating allegations of assault in Derby city centre. No arrests have yet been made and the investigation is ongoing,” the force said.

The statement does not identify Carse as a suspect, and it remains unclear whether he had any involvement in the alleged assault.

An earlier police statement said a man in his 30s had been arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly on Saturday night. He was subsequently de-arrested after agreeing to leave the area.

Why has Carse been left out of England's squad?

The incident prompted the Cricket Regulator to open an investigation, while England subsequently decided that Carse would not be part of the squad for the second Test against Pakistan.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has yet to publicly comment on the new assault investigation.

Former England captain Ben Stokes and centrally contracted seamer Matthew Potts were also visible in footage from the aftermath. However, there has been no suggestion that either player was involved in any wrongdoing.

Why is Joe Root so frustrated?

Joe Root has made clear that the incident has become part of a wider concern surrounding England’s off-field discipline.

Speaking on Tuesday, Root admitted he was “really hacked off” by the situation and said his initial concern had been Carse himself.

Root revealed that he had spoken to the fast bowler, describing him as “very upset” and “very apologetic” about what happened.

But Root stressed that the bigger issue was England’s repeated involvement in off-field controversies.

“It’s not the isolated incident itself,” Root said. “It’s the fact we continuously keep making stupid mistakes away from the game.”

With another investigation now underway, England face renewed scrutiny over their players’ conduct away from the cricket field, just as the Test series against Pakistan moves to Lord’s.