It’s not been a very nice time in my life: Brook on dealing with the bouncer incident

It has been over three months since Harry Brook was involved in an altercation with a bouncer in Wellington that resulted in a heavy financial penalty and a final warning from the England and Wales Cricket Board. It has been a month since the episode was first reported by The Telegraph.

On Saturday (February 7, 2026), the eve of England’s Men’s T20 World Cup opener against Nepal, Brook admitted that dealing with the incident and its aftermath has been far from easy.

“It has been pretty horrendous, to be honest, but that is part of it. It has just been tough. It’s not been a very nice time in my life. It has just not been easy,” Brook said.

“I can’t go through all the things that I have learnt and be here for hours, but I have got good time to reflect after this World Cup this winter and probably write a few things down. But I have definitely learnt that there is a hell of a lot more responsibility on your shoulders when you are a captain, and you can’t take that responsibility lightly, and you have got to be on virtually all the time.”

Despite the controversy, England remains a title contender, buoyed by its impressive form through 2025. The England camp also received a boost with opener Phil Salt, who had been sidelined with a back spasm, being cleared for Sunday’s afternoon match.

With the Wankhede Stadium hosting a fixture on Saturday, England opted to rest. Nepal trained at the DY Patil Stadium.