Root 'hacked off' and 'disappointed' at Carse incident

England captain Joe Root stated he is "hacked off" and "disappointed" by the incident involving fast bowler Brydon Carse at a Derby nightclub. Carse, 31, was subsequently dropped from the squad for the second Test against Pakistan. Images circulating on social media showed Carse in handcuffs outside a bar on Saturday night. He was briefly arrested and then de-arrested.

"If I'm being brutally honest, I'm really hacked off, I'm really disappointed," Root said at a news conference. "After last week's performance, we're sat here and we're talking about something that is not related to it at all." The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has referred the incident to the Cricket Regulator. Carse was replaced in the squad by Sonny Baker for the Test starting at Lord's on Thursday.

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If I'm being brutally honest, I'm really hacked off, I'm really disappointed. After last week's performance, we're sat here and we're talking about something that is not related to it at all.

Although Carse was not on England duty at the time, as he was released to play for Durham, he is a centrally contracted player. Root confirmed he had spoken to Carse about the incident, expressing frustration at the "stupid mistakes" that continue to occur. "I've spoken to Brydon, and when I first found out my main concern was him as a person," Root added. "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. But I don't think it's the isolated incident itself, it's the fact that we keep making stupid mistakes away from the game and it's detracting from what we're doing on the field."

This incident adds to a pattern of off-field issues involving England players. In October, white-ball captain Harry Brook was involved in an altercation outside a nightclub in New Zealand. During the Ashes tour, opener Ben Duckett was filmed apparently intoxicated. In June, former Test captain Ben Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson broke a team curfew. In this latest incident, Carse was with Durham teammates Stokes and Matthew Potts, both of whom are centrally contracted. This brings the total to eight contracted players involved in or present at late-night incidents in the past year, representing over a quarter of the 30 men on England deals. Root had previously removed the midnight curfew implemented during the previous regime, but admitted it would take time for the team to regain trust.

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I've spoken to Brydon, and when I first found out my main concern was him as a person. 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. But I don't think it's the isolated incident itself, it's the fact that we keep making stupid mistakes away from the game and it's detracting from what we're doing on the field.