T20 World Cup: England captain Harry Brook says nightclub controversy has been «horrendous»

England captain Harry Brook admitted recent weeks have been «pretty horrendous» after the controversy surrounding his visit to a Wellington nightclub – but now hopes to move on from the situation.

Brook’s England begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Nepal in Mumbai on Sunday, but their build-up has been overshadowed by Brook’s situation.

It emerged in early January the 26-year-old had been «clocked» by a nightclub bouncer the night before captaining England against New Zealand in November, and last week Brook admitted he lied to the media when denying other players were present.

Speaking in his first major interviews since that development, he told BBC Sport: «It has been pretty horrendous, to be honest, but that is part of it.

«It has just been tough. People have been able to support me around the group.»

Brook’s conduct is subject to an ongoing investigation by the cricket regulator, leaving him unable to discuss the specifics of the incident further.

He was fined by the England and Wales Cricket Board and given a final warning over his conduct after the altercation with the bouncer, although the incident and punishment only came to light more than two months later at the end of England’s dismal Ashes defeat in Australia.

Brook’s admission that other players were present came after during England’s recent white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, in which he led his side to victories in the T20 and 50-over series.

«It’s not been a very nice time of my life. It has just not been easy,» he said.

«All I do is hit a ball with a bat and that’s what I want to carry on doing for the rest of my career.

«I’d rather it had not happened, but it’s happened now and we’ve got to move forward. Hopefully things can blow over and things are brighter on the other side.

Brook said he would «be here for hours» explaining everything he has learned from the episode.

«I’ve definitely learned there’s a hell of a lot more responsibility on your shoulders when you’re captain,» he said.

«When you’re a leader you can’t take that responsibility lightly.

«You have got to lead from the front on and off the field, and anything you do can really turn against you, so you have got to on the ball pretty much all of the time.»

England, who are in a group with West Indies, Scotland, Nepal and Italy, come into the World Cup viewed as one of the contenders behind overwhelming favourites India.

England’s 3-0 win in Sri Lanka, where they will play their entire Super 8 phase should they qualify, means they have won 10 of their past 11 T20s.

After missing the final T20 against Sri Lanka with a back spasm, key opening batter Phil Salt has been passed fit for England’s tournament opener – their first meeting in any format against Nepal.

Left-arm opening bowler Luke Wood has been preferred to Jamie Overton.

Brook comes into the tournament in good form despite the wider situation. He scored 136 not out from 66 balls in the third ODI in Sri Lanka.

«Thankfully, I’m fairly good at hitting a ball, so I don’t think it has affected me,» he said.

«It’s weird, as a professional sportsman, when you get out to the wicket, and you’re a batter, everything just seems to float away and you don’t even know what’s going on. All you’re focusing on is that cricket ball.

«Even when the crowds are massive, sometimes you don’t even realise that there’s any noise when you’re batting. Luckily I got into that bubble and I managed to bat fairly well.»

After training at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday and Friday, England have opted against training on Saturday because it would involve a three-hour round-trip to Navi Mumbai.

The Wankhede is unavailable because of India’s opening match of the tournament against USA, which begins at 13:30 GMT.

England team to play Nepal: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (capt), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood.