England fans have ‘every right to be annoyed, I made terrible mistake’ – Brook

Harry Brook said supporters have «every right to be annoyed» with his behaviour after he was punched by a nightclub bouncer on England’s tour of New Zealand that preceded the Ashes.

Brook, England’s white-ball captain, was involved in the altercation the night before the third one-day international in Wellington on 1 November – a game England lost.

He was fined and given a final warning over his conduct, though the incident and punishment only came to light more than two months later after the final Test against Australia in Sydney, at the end of a dismal series England lost 4-1.

England’s tour of Australia was dogged by criticism of their preparation and approach, particularly the drinking that took place on a holiday in Noosa when Brook was one of the players pictured in bars.

Although Brook was England’s second highest run-scorer in Australia with 358, the 26-year-old was still below his best, passing 50 only twice and often falling to rash strokes.

When asked by BBC Sport if he understood the anger of supporters towards England’s performances and the off-field incidents, Brook replied: «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. 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.»

Brook is in Colombo leading England in their white-ball series against Sri Lanka, which begins with the first one-day international on Thursday.

Speaking for the first time since the New Zealand incident was made public, the Yorkshire batter said:

Brook was placed in charge of England’s white-ball teams last summer – the tour of New Zealand was his first overseas as captain.

Though he said he did not want to «go into any details» of the Wellington incident, he said it began with some players «going out for food».

«There was no intention of going out, no intention of putting ourselves in a tricky situation,» he said.

«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.

«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». The following day he was out for six as England slumped to 44-5 in a game they eventually lost by two wickets.

Midway through the game in Wellington, he reported the incident to England management. He was subsequently fined around £30,000 and given the final warning, with the disciplinary proceedings concluded before the Ashes tour.

Askes if he expected to be sacked, Brook said: «It was definitely playing through my mind.»

On resigning, he added: «No, it never came into my mind. 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.»