<\/p>\n
Harry Brook is hopeful that Brydon Carse will break back into his England white-ball teams once the fast bowler is clear of his disciplinary proceedings, describing him as a \u201cvery good mate\u201d who is \u201cworking on a few things behind the scenes\u201d.<\/p>\n
Carse discovered recently he will not face a criminal charge<\/a> for the late-night incident in Derby<\/a> last month that led to him being briefly handcuffed. But while technically available for selection, the 31\u2011year\u2011old has not featured in England\u2019s squads since that night as he awaits the outcome of an investigation by the Cricket Regulator.<\/p>\n Asked before Tuesday\u2019s first one\u2011day international against Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street about the prospect of Carse returning down the line, Brook, England\u2019s white-ball captain, replied: \u201cHe\u2019s a very good cricketer. He\u2019s been bowling extremely well for Durham. When his time for selection is up, that will be a debate.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very good mates with Carsey. I\u2019ve spoken a lot with him. Those conversations are private. I think he just needs time away from the international scene. He\u2019s working on a few things behind the scenes and hopefully he\u2019ll be ready at some point in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n More broadly, Brook believes the call for greater off-field professionalism has permeated through the England squads, both from Brendon McCullum, the white-ball head coach, and Stephen Fleming ahead of his new role with the Test side.<\/p>\n Brook, who fell short of standards himself when punched by a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand last winter<\/a>, said: \u201cThe words Baz [McCullum] said the other day<\/a> [were that] we want to be one of the fittest and strongest teams in the world. And to be able to do that we need to be preparing well on and off the field.\u201d<\/p>\n On top of Carse\u2019s absence, England are missing Jacob Bethell and Sam Curran because of injury. Adil Rashid, another first-choice pick, will also miss the first match \u2013 and potentially the series \u2013 as he awaits scan results on an issue with his bowling hand sustained during the whitewash-sealing T20 win at Old Trafford on Saturday<\/a>.<\/p>\n