England white-ball captain Harry Brook has backtracked on his initial comments about his clash with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand, with Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue reportedly now being investigated over their involvement.
Brook was fined £30,000 by the England and Wales Cricket Board and warned about his conduct after the incident in Wellington the night before a one-day international in November, a game England lost by two wickets as they slumped to a 3-0 series defeat.
The 26-year-old had insisted he was alone but has now issued a statement saying he “regrets” those comments and was protecting team-mates after The Telegraph reported batter Bethell and fast bowler Tongue were fined for their roles and are also being investigated by the Cricket Regulator.
The Cricket Regulator is a body independent from the ECB that has the power to bring disrepute charges, including fines and suspensions, if enough evidence is found.
Brook vows to learn from ‘challenging period’
Brook’s statement read: “I accept responsibility for my actions in Wellington and acknowledge that others were present that evening.
“I regret my previous comments and my intention was to protect my team-mates from being drawn into a situation that arose as a result of my own decisions.
“I have apologised and will continue to reflect on the matter. This has been a challenging period in my career, but one from which I am learning.
“I recognise that I have more to learn regarding the off-field responsibilities that come with leadership and captaincy.
“I remain committed to developing in this area and to improving both personally and professionally.”
England’s Jacob Bethell is reportedly being investigated for his role the night of Brook’s clash with a bouncer
Josh Tongue could also face disciplinary action, according to The Telegraph
Brook, Bethell and Tongue are part of the England squad for the ongoing T20 series in Sri Lanka and the T20 World Cup that runs from February 7 to March 8 in India and Sri Lanka.
Brook’s misdemeanour was made public on the final day of the 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia earlier this month and he said after landing in Sri Lanka that he was lucky not to lose the limited-overs captaincy.
The Yorkshireman has apologised to his team-mates and used humour to try and win back their trust when he celebrated his 57-ball hundred in the third and final ODI in Sri Lanka – which England won by 53 runs to claim a 2-1 series victory – by performing WWE legend ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin’s ‘beer smash and drinking’ move.
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Harry Brook admits he was lucky to still be England white-ball captain after an altercation with a nightclub bouncer the night before a match in New Zealand
England managing director of cricket Rob Key had said he did not think the side had a boozing culture after players, including Brook, were pictured drinking during a break in the Australian resort of Noosa between the second and third Ashes Tests this winter.
Shortly after Key addressed the media, an unverified video emerged of batter Ben Duckett seemingly intoxicated.
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England MD Rob Key said he did not think there was a drinking culture after reports the mid-Ashes break in Noosa resembled a stag-do
On the final day of The Ashes, ECB chief-executive officer Richard Gould released a statement saying a “thorough review” was already under way, covering “tour planning and preparation, individual performance and behaviours, and our ability to adapt and respond effectively as circumstances require.”
A midnight curfew for players has been issued during the tour of Sri Lanka.
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England Test captain Ben Stokes pledged support for Ben Duckett after a video seemingly showing the batter drunk
England in Sri Lanka – results and fixtures
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vs Nepal (Sunday February 8) – Mumbai (9.30am)vs West Indies (Wednesday February 11) – Mumbai (1.30pm)vs Scotland (Saturday February 14) – Kolkata (9.30am)vs Italy (Monday February 16) – Kolkata (9.30am)
