- Beforehand served lowered one-month ban in 2024
Former New Zealand worldwide Doug Bracewell has been handed a two-year ban from cricket after testing optimistic for cocaine throughout an English County Championship match, regardless of already retiring from the game.
The 35-year-old all-rounder returned a optimistic check on September 25, 2025, throughout Essex’s conflict with Somerset at Chelmsford, after later admitting he had used the drug following the primary day’s play and into the early hours earlier than day two.
Bracewell had opened the bowling on day one of many match and claimed two wickets, with Somerset progressing to 339-6. He didn’t bat within the fixture, which Essex finally received by seven wickets.
The Cricket Regulator was notified of the failed check in November, with Bracewell responding on December 8 to substantiate his use of cocaine.
Lower than three weeks later, on December 28, Bracewell introduced his retirement from skilled cricket.
Regardless of stepping away from the sport, the previous Black Caps participant was nonetheless issued with a two-year suspension, backdated to November 24, 2025, the date of his provisional ban, and working by means of to November 23, 2027.
Former New Zealand all-rounder admitted utilizing cocaine after day one in all Essex match earlier than returning optimistic drug check
Bracewell opened bowling and took two wickets earlier than later admitting cocaine use between days of Championship fixture
Bracewell has accepted the sanction.
‘Essex can affirm that Doug Bracewell failed a routine medicine check in September 2025,’ the county stated in an announcement.
‘The membership helps the Cricket Regulator’s resolution to impose a interval of ineligibility of two years. All staff are required to satisfy the best requirements {of professional} conduct.
‘Whereas the membership doesn’t condone Bracewell’s behaviour, we’re dedicated to supporting him by means of rehabilitation in step with our insurance policies and procedures.’
The most recent ban follows a earlier medicine violation in 2024, when Bracewell examined optimistic for cocaine after a home Twenty20 match in New Zealand.
In that case, he had produced a standout efficiency, taking 2-21, claiming two catches and scoring 30 from simply 11 balls to earn man-of-the-match honours.
He was initially going through a three-month suspension, however this was lowered to 1 month after finishing a therapy programme, with authorities ruling the substance had been taken out of competitors and never for efficiency enhancement.
Sport Integrity Fee chief govt Rebecca Rolls warned on the time that athletes should act as function fashions.
Essex confirmed failed medicine check and backed regulator resolution whereas committing to supporting Bracewell by means of rehabilitation course of
‘Athletes have a accountability to set a optimistic instance, particularly for the tamariki and rangatahi who look as much as them,’ she stated.
‘Leisure medicine, together with cocaine, are unlawful and may pose an actual risk to the well being and security of athletes and their teammates.’
New Zealand Cricket chief govt Scott Weenink additionally expressed frustration over the incident, stating that Bracewell had ‘let himself down’ however had accepted accountability for his actions.
Bracewell performed 69 matches for New Zealand throughout all codecs, together with 28 Exams, 21 one-day internationals and 20 T20 internationals.
He stays a part of a widely known cricketing household, with uncle John Bracewell a former New Zealand worldwide and coach, whereas cousin Michael Bracewell is a present Black Caps participant.
One of many defining moments of his profession got here in 2011, when he produced a match-winning spell of 6-40 in Hobart to assist New Zealand defeat Australia by seven runs — the nation’s solely Check victory on Australian soil since 1985.
Essex confirmed the membership wouldn’t face any punishment over the failed check.
