England white-ball captain Harry Brook and rising talent Jacob Bethell have been handed only a warning by the independent Cricket Regulator in the investigation of an altercation with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand last year, bringing the matter to a close without further punishment.
Brook, who had first claimed he was alone during the incident in Wellington after being refused entry to a nightclub, later admitted in January that he had not told the truth in an attempt to shield his teammates.
On Wednesday, the Regulator confirmed that both Brook and Bethell acknowledged breaching professional conduct rules.
“As a consequence of those investigations, the Regulator has issued a caution notice to Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell in relation to their conduct during that night,” a Cricket Regulator statement read.
Fast bowler Josh Tongue was also present during the incident.
“No further action is to be taken by the Regulator in relation to Josh Tongue,” the Regulator added.
The episode only came to light after England’s Ashes tour in Australia, where they went down 4-1. Brook was later fined and issued a final warning. Brook also issued a public apology on the matter, stating that fans had “every right to be annoyed” with his actions. The case was then taken up by the independent Cricket Regulator, separate from the ECB, which ruled that both Brook and Bethell had breached Regulation 3.2 of the board’s Professional Conduct rules.
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The regulation reads: “No Participant may conduct themself in a manner, do any act or make any omission at any time which is improper or which may be prejudicial to the interests of cricket or which may bring the ECB, the game of cricket or any cricketer or group of cricketers into disrepute.”
England retain Brendon McCullum
Despite a 4–1 Ashes defeat in Australia, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) decided to retain head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key following a review.
“I’ve seen the driving ambition and determination that we’re lucky enough to have within our leadership group to take the lessons from the Ashes and move forward,” ECB chief executive Richard Gould told the BBC.
McCullum is contracted to oversee the team until the end of the 50-over World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia next year.
