SOMERSET cricketer Jack Brooks is being investigated by his club over historical tweets which include racist language.

The bowler, 36, has apologised for twice using the term 'n***o' in replies to fellow cricketers.

In February 2012, he responded to England T20 World Cup star Tymal Mills' tweet congratulating him, Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Alex Hales and Nathan Buck for winning a series in Sri Lanka by replying: "Cheers n***o."

A month earlier, he sent an identical message after Stewart Laudat – a minor counties cricket player for Oxfordshire – praised his individual performance.

At the time, Brooks played for Northamptonshire, then spent six seasons with Yorkshire before joining Somerset for the 2019 season.

A Somerset statement on Wednesday evening said: "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."

Brooks issued a grovelling apology for the terminology used.

He 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 two players to whom I sent the tweets are my friends and it was certainly not my intention to cause distress or offence to them or anyone who read them.

"It is my understanding that neither individual was offended at the time, but I accept that language is important and that a word I used may have caused offence to others.

"I condemn discrimination of any sort and I should never have used discriminatory language, no matter what the intention and context was. I wholeheartedly apologise for any offence caused."

Laudat took to his own Twitter on Thursday morning after the investigation was confirmed to insist he was not upset by Brooks' tweet but feels it is right these issues are addressed.

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."

Azeem Rafiq named Brooks during his hearing with MPs on Tuesday along with Michael Vaughan, Gary Ballance, Alex Hales and more.

The former all-rounder, who bravely opened up on a wide range of incidents and experiences including Yorkshire's 'inhuman' treatment following the death of his son, revealed Brooks used the name 'Steve' to refer to India batter Cheteshwar Pujara – even though he did not want him to.

'NOT ACCEPTABLE'

Brooks added: "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.

"I will ensure that my actions and language are never brought into question like this again. 

"I want to be clear and give an unequivocal apology to anybody who has ever been upset or offended by my actions. I am genuinely sorry."

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