SYDNEY — Harry Brook’s suitability to be England’s white-ball captain, let alone a future leader of the Test team, is now almost untenable after revelations he was struck by a nightclub bouncer the night before a one-day international in New Zealand just before the Ashes tour.
The damaging news that broke just hours after England slumped to a 4-1 series defeat by Australia in Sydney corroborates fears that this team have an unhealthy drinking culture.
The incident, reported by The Telegraph, occurred when Brook, who was deemed to be drunk by the bouncer, was refused entry to the venue in Wellington the night before England’s third ODI on 1 November.
Brook, deputy to Ben Stokes in the Test set-up as well as leader of the white-ball set-up, was fined £30,000 and given a final warning as to his future conduct.
At a time where every decision by those at the very top are now rightly being questioned, it’s right to ask why this was covered up and whether this embodies the “no-consequence” culture that has been allowed to develop under the failed leadership of all-format coach Brendon McCullum.
Suspicions that McCullum’s loose team environment has fostered a drinking culture within the squad were already rife. This just adds to the case against the New Zealander continuing in the role.
Brook captained England to a 3-0 ODI defeat to New Zealand (Photo: AFP)As for Brook, who scored six off 11 balls in that Wellington ODI hours after his altercation, how can we expect him to act responsibly as a leader on the field when he’s clearly unable to control himself off it?
It’s notable he scored just two half-centuries in eight innings on this Ashes tour – a poor return for a generational talent.
To his credit, the Yorkshireman has offered a contrite apology. But his pretentions of succeeding Stokes when the current Test captain retires, probably after next year’s home Ashes, are now in jeopardy.
Jacob Bethell, who himself has been pictured drinking on tour this winter, at least has shown leadership on the field. Might the 22-year-old now be the most viable successor to Stokes?
There are certainly few other contenders in the Test team, with Zak Crawley, aged 27 and having played 64 Tests, admitting before the Sydney Test he did not see himself as a leader and was just happy “staying in my lane” rather than trying to take on more responsibility in the dressing room.
As for Rob Key, the managing director of England men’s cricket, this latest revelation is bad news.
England wickets keep falling…Harry Brook is OUT for 15 Watch #TheAshes LIVE on TNT Sports and discovery+ pic.twitter.com/QV5W05MZpf
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) December 6, 2025England were forced to defend their team culture after the squad took a mid-series holiday to the Queensland resort of Noosa after the second Test in Brisbane, by which time they were 2-0 down.
Reports that this break had descended into a boozy stag do were rebuffed by Key, who said: “If it goes into where they’re drinking lots and it’s a stag do, all of that type of stuff, that’s completely unacceptable. I’m not a drinker. I think a drinking culture doesn’t help anyone in any stretch whatsoever,’ he said.
“I don’t mind players having a glass of wine over dinner. Anything more than that, I think is ridiculous, really.”
Hours later, footage in Noosa of an apparently drunk and lost Ben Duckett was posted on social media.
The i Paper received no comment when they asked an England team spokesperson whether Key knew of the Brook nightclub incident at the time he spoke to reporters in Melbourne.
This latest revelation does not paint a good picture of a regime that is already under review following the series in Australia, with England & Wales Cricket Board chief executive Richard Gould confirming on Thursday that, among other things, he would be looking into “individual performance and behaviours” on the tour.
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