Archive January 30, 2026

Harry Brook has admitted other England players were present when he was “clocked” by a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand.

The England white-ball skipper had initially said he was out on his own in Wellington on 1 November, the evening before a one-day international.

But in a statement released on Friday, the Yorkshireman conceded others were with him and he lied to protect them “from being drawn into a situation”.

The statement came after the Daily Telegraph reported that Brook and two of his team-mates, Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue, could be subject to an investigation from the cricket regulator.

“I accept responsibility for my actions in Wellington and acknowledge others were present that evening,” said Brook.

“I regret my previous comments and my intention was to protect my team-mates from being drawn into a situation that arose as a result of my own decisions.

“I have apologised and will continue to reflect on the matter. This has been a challenging period in my career, but one from which I am learning.

“I recognise I have more to learn regarding the off-field responsibilities that come with leadership and captaincy. I remain committed to developing in this area and to improving both personally and professionally.”

Brook was placed in charge of England’s white-ball teams last summer and the tour of New Zealand was his first overseas as captain.

The 26-year-old was involved in the altercation the night before the third one-day international in Wellington on 1 November – a game England lost.

He was fined and given a final warning over his conduct, though the incident and punishment only came to light more than two months later after the final Test against Australia in Sydney, at the end of a dismal series England lost 4-1.

In an interview with BBC Sport last week, Brook said he didn’t want to “go into any details” of the Wellington incident, but said it began with some players “going out for food”.

“There was no intention of going out, no intention of putting ourselves in a tricky situation,” he said.

“I took it upon myself to go out for a few more and I was on my own there. I shouldn’t have been there.

“I was trying to get into a club and the bouncer just clocked me, unfortunately. I wouldn’t say I was absolutely leathered. I’d had one too many drinks.”

England men’s director of cricket Rob Key told BBC Sport the England and Wales Cricket Board had investigated the night out in Wellington when it happened, with Brook saying he reported it to his employers the day after it took place.

The Telegraph story says the cricket regulator is preparing a report after receiving paperwork on Brook, Bethell and Tongue from the ECB last week.

The body, set-up in 2023 and headed-up by Chris Haward, a former chief constable of Lincolnshire police, has freedom to operate as it sees fit. It is able to fine or suspend players for disciplinary offences.

Brook’s statement is the latest act in a series of incidents involving drinking that dogged the England team through the New Zealand tour, the Ashes series that followed and its aftermath.

Kieron Bowie has become Hibernian’s club-record sale after the Scotland striker joined Serie A side Hellas Verona on a four-and-a-half year deal.

Hibs have not disclosed the exact fee received for Bowie, but they say it “substantially exceeds” the £4.4m Celtic paid for midfielder Scott Brown in 2007.

The 23-year-old scored 15 goals in 52 appearances for the Easter Road outfit after signing from Fulham in 2024.

“Firstly, I would like to thank Kieron for the way he has conducted himself over the last 18 months,” Hibs head coach David Gray said.

“He has been a pleasure to coach and he has been fantastic to work with both on and off the pitch.

“This is a life-changing move for him and his family. He has a bright career ahead of him and we wish him every success in Italy and in the future moving forward.”

Hibs rejected a bid from Verona earlier this week, but Bowie travelled to Milan to undergo a medical after a second offer was accepted.

The fee could rise if certain add-ons in the deal are met, while Hibs also have a sell-on clause.

Verona are bottom of Serie A – four points from safety – before Saturday’s match at Cagliari.

“I would like to wish Kieron all the best with his move,” Hibs sporting director Malky Mackay added.

“It has been a joy to watch him develop during his time at Hibs and see him progress through the international youth squads before making his first senior Scotland cap.

First T20 international, Pallekele

Sri Lanka 133 all out (16.2 overs): Kusal Mendis 37 (20); Rashid 3-19, Curran 3-38

England 125-4 (15 overs): Salt 46 (35); Malinga 2-24

England won by 11 runs (DLS method); lead three-match series 1-0

Sam Curran took England’s second ever hat-trick in T20 internationals as they beat Sri Lanka by 11 runs (DLS) in Pallekele.

The left-arm seamer dismissed home captain Dasun Shanaka and lower-order batters Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 133.

The hosts had already lost five wickets for 22 runs after spinners Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson tore through their line-up, taking 3-19 and 2-31 respectively.

Curran had been expensive earlier in the innings, conceding 36 runs from his first two overs, but returned in force before Jamie Overton wrapped up the innings, which had been shortened to 17 overs after rain earlier in the day.

Having won the preceding ODI series 2-1, England were looking to take their form into the shortest format as they build up to the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next month.

They looked comfortable in their reply, with Phil Salt hitting 46 from 35 balls at the top of the order.

Jos Buttler was bowled by Eshan Malinga in the third over after hitting the seamer for four successive fours, and the same bowler removed Jacob Bethell for nine.

Tom Banton hit back-to-back sixes off Wanindu Hasaranga, but was caught superbly in the covers by Charith Asalanka off Parithana, while Salt chipped Shanaka to long-on with the finish in sight.

The rain returned two balls later with England needing nine from 12 deliveries and the umpires swiftly drew a conclusion to proceedings.

Curran’s hat-trick marks the latest stage in a successful return to the international fold over the last five months.

The Surrey all-rounder, who in 2022 became the most expensive player in the history of the Indian Premier League, returned to England’s white-ball squads in September having not played for his country since November 2024.

Curran was selected after a sparkling Hundred campaign for winners Oval Invincibles, and having a developed an elaborate super-slow “moon ball” to deceive opposition batters.

He didn’t need such tricks for his trio of wickets, which were taken from the last three balls of the 16th over as he finished with figures of 3-38:

The hat-trick was England’s second in the format, after Chris Jordan achieved the feat at the 2024 T20 World Cup against the United States.

Sri Lanka had looked in a strong position after Pathum Nissanka (23) and Kusal Mendis (37) put on a partnership of 52 off 28 balls, reaching 76-1 in the eighth over.

However from there, England’s spinners tore through the middle order, taking a wicket in five consecutive overs, with Rashid and Dawson dramatically stalling the Sri Lankan innings.

Shanaka did show signs of resistance with two big sixes, including one off Jofra Archer, who was back in the England line-up after missing the last two Ashes Tests with a side strain.

Salt has established himself as one of the premier top-order batters in T20 cricket, winning the Indian Premier League in the last two seasons and earning himself a sizeable contract with Hundred franchise Welsh Fire this month.

The Lancashire opener started England’s innings in dramatic fashion, hitting Theekshana for six then successive fours to get his side off to a flier.

The 29-year-old had his share of good fortune, surviving drops on 17, 27 and 41.

Mishara and Nissanka both put down simple chances either side of Dhananjaya de Silva not managing to get his hands on a tough chance.

England’s batters were preparing for the turning pitches they’ll expect to face in Mumbai and Kolkata in the group stage of the World Cup, but Hasaranga was the only spinner in Sri Lanka’s attack.

Pathirana was the pick of the home bowlers, taking 1-18 from his four overs, but Malinga cost 24 runs for his two overs, while Theekshana’s 18 balls went for 31.