England Leave Brydon Carse Out of Squad for Pakistan Series Finale

England have left Brydon Carse out of their squad for the third and final Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston, with investigations continuing into allegations connected to an incident at a Derby bar. The Guardian reported that police are investigating an alleged assault linked to the late-night incident last month, during which the Durham fast bowler was briefly arrested and placed in handcuffs. The Cricket Regulator is conducting a separate investigation.

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Carse, 31, had been part of England's squad for the opening Test but was not selected in the playing XI. He was then removed from the group for the second Test after the allegations emerged. His latest omission means he will also miss the final match of England's home Test summer. No conclusion to either investigation was reported.

Sonny Baker, who replaced Carse in the squad for the second Test but did not play, has retained his place. Matthew Fisher's absence is the only change from the group chosen for the match at Lord's. Shoaib Bashir, Sam Cook and Ollie Pope are the other squad members who were not included in the XI for that Test.

England's 15-player squad is captained by Joe Root and also includes Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith and Josh Tongue. England sealed the series before the Edgbaston match with victory at Lord's.

Interim coach Marcus Trescothick said after that win that England would not ease off, while highlighting the value of regular playing time together for the current first-choice seam group of Archer, Robinson, Tongue and Atkinson. The Guardian reported that England are therefore likely to retain the same XI for the final Test.

Pakistan, by contrast, are preparing for significant changes. The tourists dismissed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and dropped seven players, five of whom appeared in at least one of the first two Tests. Their replacements include five uncapped players. England also face a quick turnaround after Edgbaston: if the Test lasts five days, fewer than 48 hours will separate its finish from the start of a white-ball series against Sri Lanka in Southampton on 15 September.