Harry Brook Admits Lying About Details of Nightclub Altercation to Protect Teammates

Despite the off-field issues, Harry Brook has been in good form, most recently hitting a remarkable 136 runs off 66 balls in an ODI against Sri Lanka.

Harry Brook Admits Lying About Details of Nightclub Altercation to Protect Teammates

Harry Brook admitted that he lied about the Wellington 'nightclub' incident. (via BBC)

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England white-ball captain Harry Brook made a dramatic U-turn on his initial account of the Wellington nightclub altercation that he found himself in last year. Brook, while apologizing for his role, shockingly revealed that he had lied about certain aspects to protect his teammates. 

Harry Brook was embroiled in a major controversy, for an incident which has now become a focal point of a debate regarding the ‘drinking culture’ within the England cricket team. The 26-year-old had admitted to being involved in an altercation during England’s white-ball tour to New Zealand in 2025. It occurred on the eve of the third ODI in Wellington, a match which the visitors went on to lose by two wickets.

The incident only came to light after the England ODI and T20I captain opened up about it during the 2025-26 Ashes, which ultimately resulted in him being fined £30,000 by the ECB. Harry Brook had initially revealed that he was out on his own in Wellington when he was refused entry to a nightclub after security suspected that he was intoxicated. The right-hander’s account noted that a heated exchange followed, during which Brook was struck by a bouncer. 

Despite the seriousness of the episode, Brook went on to captain England in the third ODI against the Blackcaps. However, a recent report by the Telegraph has added another dimension, with a major revelation that England players Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue had accompanied Brook during the nightclub incident in Wellington. The report also states that the two players have been fined, and are currently under investigation by ‘Cricket Regulator’.

These recent developments prompted Brook to issue a public statement, with the Three Lions white-ball captain admitting that he had, in fact, lied about being alone at the nightclub. Brook accepted responsibility for his actions, while acknowledging that a few of his teammates were also present during the scuffle.

The 26-year-old admitted he initially lied, noting that his intention was only to shield his England teammates from the backlash. He said on the ‘nightclub’ incident:

I accept responsibility for my actions and acknowledge others were present that evening. 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.

Brook admitted that he needs to work on his leadership and captaincy skills. Furthermore, the ‘nightclub’ event, combined with other incidents like the team’s four-night trip to Noosa after losing the Ashes, has intensified the scrutiny on England’s issues with drinking.

Harry Brook reveals the reason for Joe Root’s absence from England’s T20 World Cup squad

Despite being in sparkling form, Joe Root has not found a place in England’s 15-member squad for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. Skipper Harry Brook most recently revealed the reason behind the 35-year-old’s absence from the team, pointing towards selection calls. 

Joe Root T20Is Harry Brook
Harry Brook stated that Joe Root is not in England’s T20I plans. (via ESPN Cricinfo)

Root looked in good touch during England’s ODI series against Sri Lanka on a tricky turning wicket. He recorded scores of 61, 75, and 111 in the three matches, while winning the POTS award for helping the Three Lions triumph 2-1. Despite his ability to bat in challenging conditions, Root has not been picked to represent England in the shortest format of the game, having last played a T20I back in 2019.

The 35-year-old veteran batter had himself acknowledged that he is a ‘ long way’ away from making it to the T20I squad. Asked if Root was in contention for a spot in England’s WC squad, Brook exclaimed that he has remained out of the mix, despite having performed well. Root’s numbers in the shortest format are also reflective of the snub, given he has scored 893 runs in 32 T20Is at a strike-rate of just 126.31. 

In all conditions he’s [Joe Root] done it everywhere. Unfortunately he wasn’t quite in the mix [in England’s T20 setup].

Root’s best T20I display came during the 2016 World Cup, where he finished as the third-highest run-getter with 249 runs. He had hit a match-winning 83 runs off just 44 balls in a record 230-run chase against South Africa during the tournament, in Mumbai. 

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