Former New Zealand international cricketer Doug Bracewell has been handed a two-year suspension after testing positive for cocaine prior to his retirement from all forms of the sport last year. The ban was confirmed by England's Cricket Regulator on Friday.
Background of the Ban
The 35-year-old all-rounder, who concluded his professional career in December after a stint with Essex, represented New Zealand 69 times across various formats, including 28 Test matches. Bracewell's positive test for cocaine and its metabolite, benzoylecgonine, stemmed 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 (ECB) anti-doping regulations.
Club Statement and Previous Incidents
Essex acknowledged the failed drug test in a statement, noting: "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 incident follows a previous sanction in New Zealand in 2024, where Bracewell received a one-month suspension for cocaine use after a domestic T20 match, having completed a substance abuse treatment programme.
Bracewell's Career and Family
Bracewell made his Test debut for New Zealand against Zimbabwe in November 2011, having represented his country for the first time in one-day international and T20 cricket the previous month. He made his final international appearance in a Test match against Sri Lanka in March 2023. Bracewell comes from a cricketing family, as his father, Brendon, also represented the Black Caps on the international stage. Meanwhile, Bracewell’s uncle, John Bracewell, was a player and coach for New Zealand. He also coached the Ireland national team between 2015 and 2017.
Upcoming New Zealand Tour
New Zealand are due to tour England this summer, facing Ben Stokes’s side across three Test matches in June. The first Test of the English summer will take place at Lord’s, and will get underway on 4 June, prior to Tests at the Oval and Trent Bridge later in the month.
