SOMERSET CCC have confirmed they have reprimanded their current player Jack Brooks after an internal investigation over a series of offensive tweets in 2012.

The Club stated they have reminded him of his responsibilities and require him to participate in extensive training on Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity.

In 2012, when Brooks was playing for Yorkshire CCC he made a number of tweets involving racist language.

The tweets in question were in 2012, one of them was in response to Tymal Mills tweeting about England winning a series in Sri Lanka in 2012, Brooks tweeted "Cheers N***o".

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

In a statement released today Somerset also said:

"There is no doubt that these comments are unacceptable.

"Somerset CCC condemn the use of language which has any racist connotations. Jack agrees with this sentiment and is embarrassed and devastated that his comments offended people and he has acknowledged that, whilst they were made nearly a decade ago when he was less mature, the content of the posts was wrong and not in accordance with his personal values. Jack has engaged honestly and openly throughout the investigation and unreservedly apologies for his past errors.

"Before arriving at conclusions, the Club considered a number of factors including no evidence of repeated documented behaviour of this kind, the contrition shown by Jack throughout the process, feedback received from recipients of the social media posts, and his commitment to his own personal development."

During Azeem Rafiq's testimony earlier this week he claimed that Brooks had started the disrespectful practice of calling India star Cheteshwar Pujara “Steve” during an overseas stint at the club

Jack Brooks himself released a statement today (Thursday, November 18), in which he apologised for the tweets and directly to Pujara directly.

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.

"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."

Somerset CCC concluded their statement expresseing their disappointment in threats made to Jack Brooks online.

"The Club is extremely disappointed to hear that Jack and his partner have this week been in receipt of threatening posts on social media. These have been reported to the relevant authorities for further investigation.

"Somerset County Cricket Club and Jack Brooks will be making no further comment on this matter."