'Not the right thing to do' - Harry Brook apologises for nightclub brawl with bouncer in Wellington

England white-ball captain Harry Brook has apologised for his involvement in a late-night altercation with a nightclub bouncer in Wellington, admitting that his actions were not the right thing to do. The 26-year-old accepted his mistake and stressed that he has learned from the incident that nearly cost him his captaincy.

The incident occurred in October during England’s tour of New Zealand, on the eve of an ODI in Wellington. Brook was later fined £30,000 by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and issued a final warning for his off-field conduct. England went on to lose the match the next day, with Brook managing just six runs. The matter was kept private during the Ashes series that followed, which England lost 4-1, but resurfaced ahead of the team’s tour of Sri Lanka. Addressing the issue publicly for the first time, Brook admitted he had regretted the episode. 

"I've reflected a lot and I know it wasn't the right thing to do. I want to apologise to my team-mates, the fans and the ECB for putting them in a tricky situation. It will never happen again. I'm extremely sorry", said Brook as quoted by NDTV.

According to reports, Brook had gone out drinking with teammates before heading alone to a nightclub, where he became involved in a confrontation while attempting to enter the venue. The cricketer later revealed that he was struck by a bouncer and admitted that he should not have put himself in that situation in the first place. Notably, he reported the incident to team management the very next day, triggering internal discussions about his future as captain.

The right-handed batter admitted he came close to being removed from the leadership role and accepted responsibility for his behaviour. 

The controversy added to ongoing debates about an alleged drinking culture within the England camp, particularly during the Ashes tour. Brook, however, firmly denied those claims, stating that players are responsible for their own choices and that socialising does not equate to unprofessionalism. He also sought guidance from Test captain Ben Stokes, who was involved in an off-field incident earlier in his career.