On May 31, 2024, England and Durham fast bowler Brydon Carse was handed over a suspension from all forms of cricket.
The ban followed an investigation by Cricket Regulator, an independent body established to oversee integrity within the sport.
Why Was He Banned?
The suspension was a result of historical betting violations.
Between 2017 and 2019, Carse was found to have placed 303 bets on various cricket matches.
Under England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) anti-corruption regulations, professional participants—including players, coaches, and support staff—are strictly prohibited from betting on any cricket match anywhere in the world. This rule is designed to protect the integrity of the sport and prevent even the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Investigation
- The investigation found no evidence that Carse had bet on matches in which he was a participant.
- There were no wider concerns of match-fixing; the charges were specifically for the act of gambling on the sport.
- Carse admitted to the charges immediately, cooperated fully with the Cricket Regulator, and expressed significant remorse.
Penalties
The Cricket Regulator imposed a 16-month ban, but due to several mitigating factors—including his cooperation and historical nature of bets—a large portion was suspended.
| Penalty Type | Duration | Details |
| Active Suspension | 3 Months | Effective from May 28, 2024, to August 28, 2024. |
| Suspended Ban | 13 Months | This will only be triggered if he commits further offences over a two-year period. |
Career Impact
The timing of the ban was particularly impactful as it lead to miss several high-profile opportunities:
- He was unavailable for England’s home Test series against the West Indies in July 2024.
- He was ruled out of the 2024 edition of The Hundred, where he was slated to play for the Northern Superchargers.
- He missed a significant portion of the domestic season with Durham, though he was permitted to return for the final four matches of the County Championship.
Carse accepted full responsibility for his actions, stating, “Whilst these bets were several years ago, that is no excuse and I take full responsibility.” The ECB supported the Regulator’s decision, noting that Carse had shown growth and a greater understanding of his responsibilities in the years since breaches occurred.
Since serving his three-month suspension, Carse has returned to the international match, making his Test debut against Pakistan in October 2024.