England white-ball captain Harry Brook has recanted his initial statements about a clash with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand, but Jacob Bethell and Josh Tan are now reportedly under investigation over their involvement.
Brook was fined £30,000 by the England and Wales Cricket Board and cautioned for his actions following the incident in Wellington on the eve of the One Day International in November, which England lost by two wickets and the series 3-0.
The 26-year-old had claimed he was alone, but now he has issued a statement saying he “regrets” his comments and is defending his team-mates, after the Telegraph reported that batsman Bethel and fast bowler Tan were both fined for their roles and are also being investigated by cricket regulators.
The Cricket Regulatory Authority is an independent body from the ECB and has the power to impose disgraceful charges, including fines and suspensions, if sufficient evidence is found.
Sky Sports News has contacted the ECB and the cricket regulator for comment.
Brooke vows to learn from ‘difficult times’
“I accept responsibility for my actions in Wellington and acknowledge the presence of others that night,” Brooke said in a statement.
“I regret my earlier comments and intended to avoid involving my teammates in the situation that resulted from my decisions.
“I have apologized for this incident and will continue to reflect on it. This is a difficult time in my career, but it is also a time in which I am learning from it.
“I recognize that I need to learn more when it comes to leadership and the off-field responsibilities that come with captaincy.
“I remain committed to advancing in this field and improving both personally and professionally.”
England’s Jacob Bethell is reportedly under investigation for his role on the night Brook clashed with a bouncer
According to the Telegraph, Josh Tang could also face disciplinary action.
Brook, Bethel and Tan are part of England’s squad for the ongoing T20 series in Sri Lanka and the T20 World Cup, to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
Brook’s misconduct was made public on the final day of the Ashes’ 4-1 defeat in Australia earlier this month, and after landing in Sri Lanka, Brook said he was lucky not to lose his limited-overs captaincy.
The Yorkshireman apologized to his team-mates during his 57-ball hundred in the third and final ODI in Sri Lanka, and used WWE legend Stone Cold Steve Austin’s ‘Beer Smash’ technique to apologize to his teammates and use humor to win back their trust as England won the series 2-1 by 53 runs.
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Harry Brook admits he is lucky to still be England’s white-ball captain after getting into an altercation with a nightclub bouncer on the eve of a match in New Zealand
England Cricket managing director Rob Key has said he does not believe there is a drinking culture on England’s side after players, including Brooke, were photographed drinking during a break in the Australian resort of Noosa during this winter’s second and third Ashes Tests.
Shortly after Key addressed the media, an unverified video was released of batter Ben Duckett appearing to be inebriated.
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England doctor Rob Key said he did not believe there was a drinking culture after reports the Ashes mid-term break at Noosa resembled the Stagdot.
On the final day of The Ashes, ECB chief executive Richard Gould issued a statement saying that a “thorough review” had already begun, targeting “tour planning and preparation, individual performance and behavior, and the ability to adapt and respond effectively to the circumstances.”
During the tour to Sri Lanka, players were given a late-night curfew.
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England Test captain Ben Stokes has pledged support for Ben Duckett after seeing a video of the batsman appearing to be drunk
England in Sri Lanka – Match results and fixtures
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