Harry Brook 'extremely sorry' for bouncer incident in New Zealand before England's dismal Ashes in Australia - 'A terrible mistake'
By Will Conroy
Published 21/01/2026 at 11:00 GMT
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Harry Brook has apologised to England fans for his altercation with a bouncer in New Zealand before the disastrous Ashes tour, saying he "made a terrible mistake". The white-ball captain was punched the night before a game, having had "one too many drinks". England were then criticised for their off-field antics during the Ashes, and a "group decision" has now been made to introduce a curfew.
Brook out for duck as wickets start to tumble again
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Harry Brook has apologised for the "terrible mistake" he made before England’s Ashes disaster, admitting supporters "have every right to be annoyed".
England’s white-ball captain was punched by a nightclub bouncer during the tour of New Zealand in the autumn, the night before the third and final one-day international.
Brook posted just six runs as the tourists lost by two wickets, sealing New Zealand’s whitewash victory in the series.
The 26-year-old was fined and given a final warning over his conduct, but these sanctions were only made public at the end of England’s dismal Ashes campaign earlier this month.
Australia claimed a 4-1 victory in the series, which had already been wrapped up after just 11 days of cricket, after the hosts cruised to a 3-0 lead.
The tourists came under heavy criticism over their preparation for the tour, as well as widespread reports of players drinking excessively during a holiday in Noosa between the second and third Tests.
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Highlights: Australia overcome wobble to wrap up 4-1 Ashes victory
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Despite being England's second-highest run-scorer, Brook was also criticised personally for his performances, with his decision-making coming into question on a number of occasions.
Brook, who was England’s vice-captain Down Under, regrets the altercation that took place in Wellington, pledging to be "more professional" in the future.
Asked if he understood the anger of England supporters, the Yorkshire batter told BBC Sport: "Definitely. They have every right to be annoyed. I've made a terrible mistake.
"I've put myself in a situation which I shouldn't have done. Did it affect my cricket? I don't think so. I'd have still played the same way. Obviously, I didn't get a score that I'd have liked, but I still played the same way.
"I'm extremely sorry to all the supporters for what I did in New Zealand. I've got to try and regain their trust again in my ability, in my cricket on the field and off the field.
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'He'll be livid' - Key partnership broken as Brook caught on 84
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"I'm hoping that they can expect I'll be slightly different away from the game. I'll be more professional.
"That's what I've got to do now for the rest of my career, hopefully. I just want to be back playing as good cricket as I possibly can be."
'I'd had one too many drinks' - Brook explains Wellington incident
The tour of New Zealand was Brook’s first overseas as captain after being placed in charge last summer.
He said the night of the incident began with some of the team "going out for food", and that "there was no intention of going out, no intention of putting ourselves in a tricky situation".
"I took it upon myself to go out for a few more, and I was on my own there. I shouldn't have been there," he continued.
"I was trying to get into a club, and the bouncer just clocked me, unfortunately. I wouldn't say I was absolutely leathered. I'd had one too many drinks."
Brook did not confirm what time he returned to the England hotel, but said it was "late enough".
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'We just haven’t been good enough' - Brook admits there is work to do for England
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He reported the incident to England management during the game in Wellington before being given the £30,000 fine and final warning.
Brook admitted that "it was definitely playing through my mind" whether he would be sacked, but said he "never" thought about resigning.
"I left that decision to the hierarchy. If they'd have sacked me from being captain, then I'd have been perfectly fine with it as long as I was still playing cricket for England."
He added: "I've got a little bit of work to do to try and regain the trust of the players.
"I felt like I needed to say sorry for my actions. It's not acceptable as a player, but as a captain it's really not acceptable to do what I did in New Zealand. I hold my hands up."
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Big wicket for Lyon as Brook perishes on reverse-sweep attempt
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'We weren't getting leathered every day' - Brook defends trip to Noosa as England enforce curfew
Brook was speaking ahead of England’s white-ball series against Sri Lanka, which begins on Thursday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
A midnight curfew is now in place for both players and staff following the incident in New Zealand and criticism of the trip to Noosa during the Ashes.
A damaging development from the mid-series holiday was a video filmed by a member of the public showing Ben Duckett appearing to be drunk and unsure how to return to the team hotel.
Brook, meanwhile, was among the players pictured drinking in a bar, despite his recent altercation in Wellington.
Asked why he was happy to be seen drinking in public after the issue in New Zealand, Brook said: "We weren't exactly happy to be photographed. We were looking over our shoulder every second to see if there's a camera there.
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Prior 'about to spontaneously combust' as Brook almost throws wicket away
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"We were drinking responsibly, bar one situation. Other than that, we were completely in control of what we were doing. We were just going out and having a drink, and it was nothing silly."
"It wasn't just drinking," he said. "We weren't just going out and getting leathered every day. We were having a few drinks here and there.
"We were playing plenty of golf, going to nice cafes, having coffees, but we had a few drinks here and there. I don't think that's a bad thing. It's just what human beings do."
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Brook said the enforcement of a curfew was a "group decision", adding: "We think that it's the best thing going forward, for the time being, to be able to put us in situations where we can win games of cricket and perform at the best of our ability.
"I don't know what it's like in other sports, but it's probably a lot stricter in rugby, football and stuff like that. For the time being, I think it's fair enough."
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