New Zealand cricketer Doug Bracewell has been handed a one-month backdated ban from cricket after testing positive for cocaine use. The 34-year-old fast bowler, who played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2012, tested positive for the banned substance earlier this year after a domestic T20 game.

According to reports, Doug Bracewell had tested positive for cocaine use after a match between Central Stags and Wellington in January. Bracewell had won the Player of the Match award for his exceptional all-round performance in the game. He picked up 2 for 21 with the ball while also scoring 30 runs off just 11 balls with the bat.

Doug Bracewell served a one-month ban for illegal substance abuse

The Sports Integrity Commission Te Kahu Raunui imposed the one-month ban, but reduced the sentence from three months to one month after Doug Bracewell completed a treatment program to address his substance use. The ban was backdated to April 2024, which means Bracewell has already served his suspension and is now eligible to resume playing cricket.

Doug Bracewell last played for New Zealand in a Test against Sri Lanka in March 2023 and has made 69 appearances for the national team across all formats. He also played for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the IPL in 2012.

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This is not the first time when a cricketer has received a ban for drug use. England cricketer Alex Hales was suspended for 21 days back in 2019 when he was found guilty of recreational drug use. Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram and ex-Zimbabwe cricketer Brendan Taylor are a few names who have admitted to using cocaine during their playing days. 

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