A professional cricket player was hit in the face with a pint glass during a bar brawl in Ashford.

The fight broke out in The Auction House Bar, in New Street, at around 11.45pm yesterday and involved several members of the Lancashire County Cricket Club (LCCC).

The players were out in Ashford celebrating their win at the NatWest T20 Blast, which was held in Canterbury yesterday. Among them was England cricketer and Ashes star Jos Buttler.

The trouble is understood to have started when one of the team mates accidentally knocked into a man standing close by.

A witness, who was drinking in the bar with friends, said he apologised immediately but the other man took offence.

The witness said: "They were standing at the bar. They were mucking around between themselves.

"One push went a little far and they knocked into a group of blokes close by. It wasn't intentional, they were just being lads.

"He said sorry but the other guy kicked off.

"They pushed the player back, and a few others got involved."

Lancashire’s Liam Livingstone is said to have been glassed in the face during the fracas.

"Punches were thrown, as were drinks. One of the players got glassed in the face." - A witness in the bar

The witness added: "Punches were thrown, as were drinks.

"One of the players got glassed in the face.

"He had blood pouring down his face."

Bouncers from the club are said to have stepped in, and took a few people outside.

Both police and ambulance crews were called to the bar, and the incident is now being investigated.

The Lancashire Lightnings were in Ashford following their victory over the Kent Spitfires in the quarter finals of the NatWest T20 Blast, which took place in Canterbury yesterday.

The game was played in front of a crowd of 7,000 and was broadcast live on Sky Sports.

Included in the group at the bar was Ashes star Jos Buttler, who was only released this week by England to play in the match against Kent, Australian all-rounder James Faulkner and South African batsman Ashwell Prince.

They were joined by coaching staff including team head coach and former England spinner Ashley Giles.

A spokesman for the club said today: "LCCC is aware of an incident that took place on Saturday evening involving some of our players. "The matter is currently being investigated by the police and nobody from the club will be making any further comment at this stage."Police are now appealing for witnesses to the attack to come forward.A spokesman said: "Kent Police received a report of a disturbance at 11.57pm on Saturday, August 15. "Officers attended The Auction Bar House in New Street, Ashford. It was reported that a man in his twenties had been assaulted and sustained a head injury. "Inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances of the incident. Any witnesses can contact Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting ZY/ 025414/15."