England vice-captain Harry Brook was placed on a “final warning” just before the Ashes after reportedly being struck by a nightclub bouncer while drunk the night before an ODI against New Zealand.
The UK Telegraph reports Brook, the nation’s white-ball captain and Test vice-captain, held his leadership roles but was given a fine of around £30,000 ($AU60,000) following the incident.
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The revelation comes after English players were criticised for drinking during the Ashes series, with claims of a boozy six-day stretch between matches, including during their trip to Noosa.
Brook was among those pictured drinking in Noosa and his behaviour of the pre-Ashes tour of New Zealand has only now emerged.
The night before England was to play an ODI at Wellington’s Sky Stadium, Brook was spotted out with several teammates including Jacob Bethell and Gus Atkinson, but the incident with a security guard occurred separately.
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“The 26-year-old was refused entry to a nightclub because security suspected he was drunk. Brook became embroiled in a row with a bouncer and was struck, although he did not suffer any injury,” Nick Hoult and Will Macpherson reported.
“It is understood that Brook reported himself to the management and there was no third-party complaint, but he was lucky to survive as captain considering the incident happened the night before a match.”
The next day Brook scored just 6 (11), with the English top five combining for just 32 runs, as New Zealand won the match by two wickets.
The maximum possible fine under England central contract protocols, four per cent of the player’s retainer, was handed down.
“I want to apologise for my actions. I fully accept that my behaviour was wrong and brought embarrassment to both myself and the England team,” Brook told The Telegraph in a statement.
“Representing England is the greatest honour of all, which I take seriously and I am deeply sorry for letting down my teammates, coaches and supporters. I have reflected on the lessons it has taught me about responsibility, professionalism and the standards expected of those representing your country.
“I am determined to learn from this mistake and to rebuild trust through my future actions, both on and off the field. I apologise unreservedly and will work hard to ensure this does not happen again.”
An ECB spokesperson said: “We are aware of this incident and it has been dealt with through a formal and confidential ECB disciplinary process. The player involved has apologised and acknowledged their conduct fell below expectations on this occasion.”
Brook battled through an indifferent Ashes series, belying his ranking as the No.2 batter in the world, managing just two half-centuries in 10 innings.
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