Brydon Carse needs time away from international cricket, says England captain and close friend Harry Brook

England white-ball captain Harry Brook has called on his "very good mate" Brydon Carse to be given time away from international cricket as the Durham pace bowler's exile from the England set-up continues.

Carse was arrested and then de-arrested during a night out in Derby in August. On Friday, Derbyshire Police confirmed that its investigation into an alleged assault had ended, with no further action taken. However, the 31-year-old now faces an investigation by the Cricket Regulator and, although he remains available for England selection, he has not been chosen in any format of the game since the incident.

Brook, 27, is a close friend of the seamer — the pair share an agent — and says he has been in regular contact with the bowler throughout his ordeal.

"I'm very good mates with Carsey," Brook told BBC Sport. "I've spoken a lot with him. I think he just needs time away from the international scene.
"He's working on a few things behind the scenes and hopefully he'll be ready at some point in the future."

Brook drawing on his own experience of off-field trouble

The England captain has endured his own difficult period away from the field. In October last year he was punched by a nightclub bouncer in Wellington on the eve of a one-day international against New Zealand, and he said that experience would allow him to pass on advice on dealing with controversy.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has said Carse will "take time" to "work through the issues that led to the Derby incident", while white-ball head coach Brendon McCullum has insisted the bowler needs to "get his house in order" before he can play for England again. At the weekend, new Test coach Stephen Fleming also discussed the "standards" England players must meet.

"When his time for selection is up, that will be a debate"

Speaking before Tuesday's first one-day international against Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street, Brook said there will eventually be a "debate" over Carse's prospects of an England recall — but that the all-rounder must first prove himself ready.

"He's a very good cricketer, we all know that," said Brook. "He's been bowling extremely well for Durham. When his time for selection is up, that will be a debate."