Michael Vaughan calls for severe punishment after Brydon Carse dropped over pub incident
Michael Vaughan has demanded severe punishment after England dropped Brydon Carse from their squad for the second Test against Pakistan following a reported incident outside a pub in Derby on Saturday night, and the matter was referred to the Cricket Regulator by the ECB while an investigation continues.
Carse, a 31-year-old fast bowler, was seen in handcuffs outside the pub shortly after Durham's 338-run County Championship win over Derbyshire; reports say he was detained for a few minutes but was not arrested or charged. The bowler had been released from the England Test squad to play for Durham after missing the first Test at Headingley and took two wickets in Durham's victory, in which England captain Ben Stokes claimed five for 17. Footage circulating on social media appeared to show Carse surrounded by police officers with Stokes visible in the background, although there is no suggestion Stokes was involved.
England have ruled Carse out of selection for the Lord's Test and named Sonny Baker as his replacement, with the team leading the three-Test series 1-0 and preparing for the second Test at Lord's on Thursday. The ECB has referred the reported incident to the Cricket Regulator to establish the full facts while the selection change has already been implemented.
Speaking on BBC Radio, Vaughan said: “Someone is going to have to get a punishment that sends a shiver down the whole England cricket team and right down through the programme.” He added: “It’s the only punishment that will really hurt players.” Vaughan also warned against turning Carse into a scapegoat and said he hoped the Durham bowler was receiving appropriate support and advice, describing him as someone who can be “a little bit loose” if given too much freedom.
Vaughan said he expected Joe Root to be frustrated that attention had again moved away from cricket, telling BBC Radio: “Joe Root will be absolutely fuming with this.” He added: “He will have been hoping to arrive at Lord's to talk about cricket and his team.” Vaughan later remarked: “Everything we thought has been brushed under the carpet and moved to one side, we are pretty much back to square one.”
The Carse episode follows earlier scrutiny this summer after Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were at a Chelsea nightclub following England's first Test against New Zealand and breached the team's midnight curfew; the ECB concluded Stokes was not involved in an altercation and both players received written warnings. England also dealt with an incident involving Harry Brook during preparations for last winter's Ashes in Wellington when he was punched by a nightclub bouncer and was later fined.
Carse's immediate future now rests with the Cricket Regulator's investigation, which the ECB has initiated, and for the moment England have replaced him in the Lord's Test with Sonny Baker as they prepare to continue the series.
