Somerset investigating bowler Jack Brooks over historical tweets

Daniel Brown

“I unreservedly apologise for any offence caused to anybody who may have seen these tweets.”

Somerset County Cricket Club are investigating Jack Brooks over historical tweets that included racist language.

A Somerset statement read: “Late on Sunday evening, Somerset County Cricket Club was made aware of allegations regarding one of our players, Jack Brooks.

“An investigation was immediately launched and is ongoing.

“It would be inappropriate for the club to comment further until this process has been concluded.

“A further statement will be made in due course.”

In response to Tymal Mills tweeting about England winning a series in Sri Lanka in 2012, Brooks tweeted “Cheers N****” to Mills.

Also in 2012, Brooks sent an identical tweet to cricketer Stewart Laudat, who played minor counties cricket for Oxfordshire

In a statement, Brooks said: “I acknowledge that the language used in two tweets I made in 2012 was unacceptable and I deeply regret using it.

“I unreservedly apologise for any offence caused to anybody who may have seen these tweets.”

"The treatment I received from some of the club officials was inhuman."

Azeem Rafiq recalls his horrific experiences of racism at Yorkshire CCC pic.twitter.com/KLmIYjKQbR

— JOE (@JOE_co_uk) November 16, 2021

Brooks was one of a host of players named in Azeem Rafiq’s statement to MPs this week, which included Alex Hales, Gary Ballance, former England captain Michael Vaughan and others.

Rafiq alleged that Brooks would call India batter Cheteshwar Pujara ‘Steve’, even though Pujara stated that he would prefer him not to.

In Brooks’ statement, he said: “With reference to my naming in Azeem Rafiq’s statement to MPs this week, the use of the name “Steve” related to some people having difficult names to pronounce.

“When this has occurred in the past in a dressing room environment, it has been commonplace to give nicknames, regardless of creed or race.

“I admit to having used it in this context and now accept that it was disrespectful and wrong to do so.

“I have reached out and apologised to Cheteshwar for any offence that I have caused him or his family.

“At the time I didn’t recognise this as racist behaviour, but I can now see that it was not acceptable.”

Laudat – one of the two people who received the tweets from Brooks in 2012 – has since taken to social media to defends Brooks.

With regard to the historical tweet that has come to light between my friend Jack Brooks and I, I would like to state that I understand that things that have been said or expressed are now under increased scrutiny and rightly so if we are to address all forms of discrimination.

— Stewart V Laudat (@StewartLaudat) November 18, 2021

The 50-year-old said: “With regard to the historical tweet that has come to light between my friend Jack Brooks and I, I would like to state that I understand that things that have been said or expressed are now under increased scrutiny and rightly so if we are to address all forms of discrimination.

“But without context, misunderstandings and misconceptions are easily made. It upsets me that Jack’s character is being questioned over this tweet because I’ve known him for a long time and have never been made to feel uncomfortable in any conversations we’ve had.

“I consider Jack to be a good friend and a credit to his family and his profession.”