"My intention was to protect my teammates....": Harry Brook backtracks on earlier comments, admits others were present during Wellington nightclub incident

Pallekele [Sri Lanka], January 31 (ANI): England's white-ball captain, Harry Brook, revealed that he was not the only player present during the Wellington nightclub incident in October last year and said that his previous comments stating that he was alone were to protect his teammates "from being drawn into a situation that arose as a result of my own decisions", reported ESPNcricinfo.
After leading England to an 11-run win over Sri Lanka in a rain-affected series opener on Friday, Brook reiterated the public apology he had made ahead of the start of England's white-ball tour to Sri Lanka.
Notably, Brook was reportedly involved in a nightclub altercation with a bouncer, for which he was fined £30,000 and put on a final warning for his off-field conduct, according to ESPNcricinfo.
Brook admitted that he was responsible for what happened in Wellington during the New Zealand vs England ODI series. He acknowledged that other members of the England team were also present "that evening" and apologised for earlier comments, saying he had been trying to shield his teammates from the consequences of his own actions.
"I accept responsibility for my actions in Wellington and acknowledge that others were present that evening. I regret my previous comments and my intention was to protect my teammates from being drawn into a situation that arose as a result of my own decisions," Harry Brook said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Brook said he is reflecting on the situation and sees it as a difficult but valuable learning experience, and is committed to improving his leadership and personal conduct going forward.
"I have apologised and will continue to reflect on the matter. This has been a challenging period in my career, but one from which I am learning. I recognise that I have more to learn regarding the off-field responsibilities that come with leadership and captaincy. I remain committed to developing in this area and to improving both personally and professionally," Brook said.
Earlier, ahead of the Sri Lanka vs England ODI series, Brook had stated that he stayed out alone and that he got into an altercation with a bouncer while trying to enter a club in Wellington. He admitted he shouldn't have been there and acknowledged he had drunk too much.
"We went out for a couple of drinks beforehand and then I took it upon myself to go out for a few more and I was on my own there. I was trying to get into a club and the bouncer just clocked me, unfortunately. Like I said, I shouldn't have been in that situation from the start... I wasn't absolutely leathered, I'd had one too many drinks," Brook had said as quoted by Espncricinfo.
"Obviously I made a terrible mistake. Not only as a player, but as a captain. It's very unprofessional and I should be leading from the front," Brook said ahead of the Sri Lanka vs England ODIs. (ANI)