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England cricketer Brydon Carse will not be charged after an investigation into an alleged sexual assault was dropped, police revealed tonight.
Fast bowler Carse, 31, was removed from second Test consideration after being arrested then de-arrested following an incident at a Derby nightclub last month.
The Durham player still faces disciplinary action by cricket authorities.
Derbyshire Police said that an ‘investigation into reports of an assault in Derby city centre has been closed’.
A spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'Officers attended Molly Malones in the Wardwick, Derby, in the early hours of Sunday 23 August.
‘A man was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and was then de-arrested after his details were taken by officers.
Police have dropped an assault investigation surrounding England cricketer Brydon Carse
'Following the man leaving the area staff from the bar told officers that there had been an allegation that a woman had been touched inappropriately over her clothing.
'The victim had asked for help from bar staff and the man was removed from the venue. However, before officers could speak to the woman she had left the bar.’
The spokesperson continued: 'Enquiries were made to identify the woman who had spoken with bar staff and she was eventually identified and spoken to.
'She confirmed that she did not want to make any complaint and, in line with her wishes, no further action was taken.
'In line with crime recording standards the incident was recorded on the force software as a sexual assault.
'Initial statements from the force referred to an assault as neither party had been spoken to in relation to the incident and therefore, to protect the integrity of any potential investigation, we were not able to confirm the nature of the alleged assault at that time.’
Carse, who was part of England's squad for the first Tests against Pakistan and their leading wicket-taker during the Ashes defeat in Australia, had been out celebrating with Durham team-mates following their win over Derbyshire in the County Championship.
A short video posted on social media showed him surrounded by four police officers outside the club, with fellow Durham stars Ben Stokes and Matthew Potts in the background.
The news came shortly fter England's new Test captain Joe Root abolished the team curfew that had been in place since the Ashes defeat in January, insisting his players should be trusted to behave like 'grown adults.
He declared he was ‘really hacked off’ by the latest drinking drama to engulf his side.
Carse's representatives and the ECB have been approached for comment.
