England’s white-ball cricket captain Harry Brook has acknowledged that he provided misleading information about a nightclub altercation in New Zealand, saying he did so to shield teammates from scrutiny.
Brook made the admission on Friday while England were touring Sri Lanka, following media reports that contradicted his earlier account of the incident. The event took place in Wellington on October 31, 2025, the night before England’s final one-day international against New Zealand.
At the time, Brook had stated that he was alone when he was struck by a nightclub bouncer. However, a report published by The Telegraph revealed that England players Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue were also present and later fined as part of an investigation by cricket authorities. Shortly after England’s Twenty20 victory over Sri Lanka, Brook released a statement conceding that his initial explanation was false.
“I accept responsibility for my actions in Wellington and acknowledge that others were present that evening,” Brook said. “I regret my previous comments, and my intention was to protect my teammates from being drawn into a situation that arose as a result of my own decisions.”
Brook added that he had apologized and was taking time to reflect on the episode, describing it as a difficult but instructive moment in his career.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had already sanctioned Brook over the incident, issuing him with a fine and a final warning for his conduct. Details of the punishment only became public earlier this month, after the conclusion of the Ashes series in Australia, which England lost 4–1.
Brook has now apologized on multiple occasions—to teammates, supporters, and team officials—including again during the current Sri Lanka tour. The controversy has contributed to broader concerns within English cricket regarding player behavior while on overseas tours.
In response to a series of off-field incidents involving alcohol consumption during recent tours of New Zealand and Australia, the ECB has introduced stricter measures. These include a midnight curfew for players during the ongoing tour of the subcontinent, as the governing body continues to review team conduct and disciplinary standards.
Brook remains captain of England’s white-ball sides and has continued to feature prominently in the team despite the controversy. England officials have not indicated whether further disciplinary action will be taken beyond the measures already imposed.
