Brydon Carse will not face any charges after Derbyshire Police ended their investigation into an alleged assault in Derby city centre last month, bringing an end to the legal proceedings that had followed the England fast bowler.The incident had already affected Carse’s international career, with the 31-year-old withdrawn from England’s squad for the three-Test series against Pakistan after details of the matter emerged. He had initially travelled with the squad for the first Test at Headingley.Carse had been arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly following a night out with his Durham teammates after their County Championship victory over Derbyshire. Durham won the Division Two clash by 338 runs as they strengthened their promotion push, which they have since successfully completed.The following day, pictures emerged on social media showing Carse in handcuffs and surrounded by police officers outside Molly Malone’s bar in Derby. Derbyshire Police confirmed at the time that a man in his 30s had been detained, although he was released from arrest shortly afterwards.The situation later took a separate turn when police announced that they were investigating an alleged assault in Derby city centre. Carse was never arrested in relation to that allegation.“We are investigating allegations of an assault in Derby city centre,” Derbyshire Police said in a subsequent statement. “No arrests have yet been made and the investigation is ongoing.”That investigation has now been discontinued, meaning Carse will face no charge over the alleged assault.The distinction between the two incidents is significant. Carse was initially arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly before being de-arrested, while he was not arrested over the separate assault allegation that police subsequently investigated.The incident nevertheless came at a costly time for Carse’s England career. He had been part of the squad for the opening Test against Pakistan as a non-playing member before being released to join Durham. Following the emergence of the incident and the subsequent police investigation, he was removed from England’s squad for the rest of the series.England went on to complete a 3-0 series sweep without Carse, while the fast bowler remained outside the Test set-up as the police inquiry continued.Carse has become an increasingly important part of England’s plans with his pace, aggression and ability to generate bounce, making his absence particularly significant. With the police investigation now closed without charges, the uncertainty surrounding the legal aspect of the episode has been resolved.Any decision on Carse’s return to England duty will now be down to the selectors and team management.
