Brydon Carse’s Redemption: From Gambling Ban to England’s Rising Test Star
Let me take you into one of the most remarkable comeback stories in modern cricket — that of Brydon Carse. Just a year ago, his name was circulating for all the wrong reasons: a gambling ban, uncertainty about his future, and questions over whether he'd ever play at the highest level again. Fast forward to July 2025, and Carse is not just back — he's thriving in England’s Test team and becoming a core part of their bowling arsenal.
Carse’s recent performances in the ongoing Test series against India have been nothing short of electric. He's been relentless with the ball, picking up nine wickets already in the series, and even notched up a gritty half-century at Lord’s to help secure a 22-run win. But what makes his resurgence truly compelling isn’t just stats — it’s the story behind the scenes.
You see, Brydon Carse hit rock bottom last year when the ECB handed him a three-month suspension after it was revealed he placed 303 bets on cricket matches between 2017 and 2019 — none of which he played in. He was on his way to a county game for Durham when he found out. He says his heart sank. Imagine trying to piece together mistakes from six or seven years ago while mentally preparing to bowl for your club — that’s what he was dealing with.
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But here's where it takes a turn. One of the first people Carse reached out to? England captain Ben Stokes. Their relationship runs deep — going back almost a decade to their shared time at Durham. Over a quiet coffee the next morning, Stokes gave him the kind of raw, honest advice only someone who has walked through fire can give. Remember, Stokes himself faced immense scrutiny after the Bristol nightclub incident back in 2017. That experience made him the perfect mentor at Carse’s lowest point.
And Carse credits Stokes not just for that moment — but for consistently bringing the best out of him as a cricketer. Under Stokes' captaincy, he feels understood, backed, and empowered. He even says that Stokes knows him “inside out,” which in a pressure-filled environment like Test cricket, makes all the difference.
Carse didn’t just sit back after his ban. He worked, he reflected, and perhaps most importantly — he owned his past. Injuries, isolation, the temptation to bet when the game felt distant — it all played a part in those poor decisions years ago. But now, he’s turned it around. His pace, resilience, and cricketing IQ have become assets for England, especially heading toward the Ashes.
So when Carse steps onto the field at Old Trafford for the fourth Test, he’s not just bowling to win a game — he’s embodying a journey of redemption. A journey powered by grit, support, and a captain who believed in him when he needed it most.
That’s the Brydon Carse story — and it’s only getting started.
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