Former New Zealand international cricketer Doug Bracewell has been handed a two-year suspension after testing positive for cocaine prior to his retirement last year. The ban was confirmed by England's Cricket Regulator on Friday.
The 35-year-old all-rounder, who ended his professional career in December after a stint with Essex, tested positive for cocaine and its metabolite benzoylecgonine from an in-competition sample collected on 25 September last year. Cocaine is listed as a prohibited substance under the England and Wales Cricket Board's anti-doping regulations.
Essex acknowledged the failed test in a statement, saying: 'While the Club does not condone Bracewell's behaviour, we are committed to supporting him through rehabilitation in line with our policies and procedures.' This follows a previous one-month suspension in New Zealand in 2024 for cocaine use after a domestic T20 match.
Bracewell represented New Zealand 69 times across formats, including 28 Tests, making his debut in November 2011. His final international appearance was in a Test against Sri Lanka in March 2023. He comes from a cricketing family; his father Brendon and uncle John Bracewell also played for New Zealand.
