England opens pathway for potential Carse return in South Africa tour

FILE PHOTO: England's Brydon Carse has been away from the international setup amid an investigation into a nightclub incident. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Brydon Carse could be in contention for England’s opening Test against South Africa after national selector Marcus North confirmed on Monday that “one or two players” from the Lions squad would be drafted in, with Josh Tongue set to miss the December 17 match due to the birth of his second child.

Carse has been away from the international setup amid an investigation into a nightclub incident. North acknowledged that the period had been challenging for the Durham fast bowler, adding that discussions involving himself, managing director Rob Key and other officials at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had helped determine the next step in Carse’s return.

“Obviously in the past few months under investigation, it’s been a time where he has stood back, and it’s been a time of reflection,” North said.

“It’s obviously been a challenging time for Brydon, and it’s one we probably haven’t at times felt the demands of playing international cricket, and what he was dealing with was necessarily right for Brydon or us.

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“There have been several conversations between us, myself, (managing director) Rob Key and other people at the ECB with Brydon over this period, and the conclusion is we feel he is in a place where we can introduce him back into an England environment.

“We feel the Lions is the right place for him to come back. Come that first Test, with Josh Tongue unavailable, that will leave us with 14 players, and this is where I feel we’re using the Lions tour to our advantage.”

Carse was dropped from the squad for the second Test of England’s 3-0 win at home to Pakistan.

England Test captain Joe Root admitted the incident left him “hacked off”, while white-ball skipper Harry Brook acknowledged “time away” was required for the South Africa-born.

Although no charges were brought against Carse by Derbyshire Police following an investigation into an alleged assault in connection with the August incident, the cricket regulator deemed he had breached the England and Wales Cricket Board’s professional conduct regulations.