Joe Root disappointed by Brydon Carse nightclub incident; bowler apologetic

England captain Joe Root said on August 25, 2026 he was "really hacked off" and "really disappointed" by a nightclub incident involving fast bowler Brydon Carse after England's innings-and-103 victory over Pakistan in the first Test at Headingley.

Footage showed Carse being handcuffed by police outside a nightclub in Derby after he had played for Durham against Derbyshire in the County Championship; he had been released to play for Durham after being left out of England's XI for the first Test. The England and Wales Cricket Board referred the matter to the Cricket Regulator, which confirmed it would investigate, and Carse has been withdrawn from England's squad for the second Test at Lord's with Sonny Baker called up as his replacement.

Root said his initial priority on learning of the events was Carse's welfare. "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."

The captain expressed frustration that off-field matters were overshadowing the team's performance. "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 said.

Root warned that recent episodes had damaged public perception of the side and said rebuilding trust would require sustained effort. "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."

The Carse episode is the latest off-field incident to involve England players: white-ball captain Harry Brook was involved in an incident outside a nightclub in Wellington last year; Ben Duckett was filmed apparently drunk during England's Ashes tour of Australia; and Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were involved in a nightclub incident in London earlier this summer and later received written warnings after breaching specific contractual obligations.

Root defended his decision to remove a midnight curfew introduced after past drink-related incidents but said the change increased the onus on players. "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." He also confirmed he had spoken to former England captain Stokes, who was present during the Derby night out, and said their conversation focused on checking on Carse's wellbeing; Root added he would not be involved in deciding any disciplinary punishment because the matter was now with the regulator.

Carse will not be available for selection for the second Test while the investigation continues, and England will face Pakistan in the second Test at Lord's from Thursday.