A former New Zealand cricketer has been handed a two-year suspension after testing positive for cocaine for the second time, the country's sports anti-doping body announced on Thursday. The player, whose name has not been disclosed due to privacy reasons, was found to have violated anti-doping rules following a test conducted during a domestic tournament earlier this year.
Details of the Suspension
The suspension, effective from the date of the provisional ban, will keep the cricketer out of all competitive cricket until April 2028. This marks the second time the player has failed a drug test for cocaine, with the first offense occurring in 2023, which resulted in a warning and mandatory counseling.
According to the New Zealand Sports Drug Agency, the player tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, in a sample collected during a domestic match in January 2026. The player did not contest the finding and accepted the sanction.
Impact on Career
The former international, who played for New Zealand in limited-overs formats between 2015 and 2020, had already retired from international cricket but continued playing in domestic leagues. The ban effectively ends his domestic career as well.
Cricket New Zealand issued a statement expressing disappointment and reiterating the importance of maintaining integrity in the sport. "We have a zero-tolerance policy towards performance-enhancing and recreational drugs," a spokesperson said.
Anti-Doping Efforts
This case highlights the ongoing efforts by anti-doping agencies to curb substance abuse in sports. Cocaine is classified as a stimulant and is prohibited in-competition under the World Anti-Doping Code. Second offenses typically carry a ban of up to four years, but the two-year suspension in this case reflects mitigating factors, including the player's cooperation and admission.
The player has the right to appeal the decision within 21 days, though no such move has been announced.
