Joe Root has admitted he is “hacked off” with Brydon Carse after another late-night incident plunged England cricket into fresh controversy.
The fast bowler has been withdrawn from England’s squad for the second Test against Pakistan at Lord’s while the Cricket Regulator investigates events outside a Derby bar.
Footage shared on social media appeared to show Carse in handcuffs during an interaction with police on Saturday night.
Derbyshire Police said a man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly but was de-arrested shortly afterwards after agreeing to leave the area. No charge was brought.
Carse was not on England duty at the time, having been released to represent Durham, but remains one of the ECB’s centrally contracted players.
“If I’m being brutally honest, I’m really hacked off, I’m really disappointed,” Root said.
“After last week’s performance, we’re sat here and we’re talking about something that is not related to it at all.”
The ECB referred the matter to the independent Cricket Regulator and replaced the 31-year-old in the Test squad with Sonny Baker.
Joe Root has admitted he is “hacked off” with Brydon Carse after another late-night incident plunged England cricket into fresh controversy
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PA
Root revealed that he had contacted Carse and initially prioritised checking on his welfare.
“I’ve spoken to Brydon, and when I first found out my main concern was him as a person,” the England captain 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.
Brydon Carse has been dropped after his recent nightclub incident
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PA“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.”
Root’s anger reflects a broader concern after eight centrally contracted players were involved in or present at late-night incidents during the past year, including Brook, Duckett, Stokes, Atkinson, Bethell, Tongue and Potts.
Root previously removed the midnight curfew introduced under Stokes and Brendon McCullum and continues to oppose reinstating it.
However, the 35-year-old accepts that England must repair their public reputation through sustained improvements in behaviour.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Root confirmed that any potential punishment for Carse would be determined by the regulator rather than England’s captaincy group.
Joe Root was speaking ahead of England’s clash with Pakistan
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“I don’t think the recent past has been a good look,” he added.
“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.”
England begin the second Test on Thursday without Carse, with Root demanding improved standards away from cricket.
