In a shocking development, New Zealand’s star cricketer Doug Bracewell was tested positive for cocaine during an English County Championship match last year. Following the test results, the Kiwi fast bowler, who has announced his retirement from international cricket in 2025, has been handed a two-year ban banning him from participating in cricket-related activities.
The test report came while he was playing with Essex against Somerset at Chelmsford on September 25, 2025. The 35-year-old former New Zealand cricketer has admitted his actions, which were against the standards of cricket.
Why was Doug Bracewell banned for 2 years?
Doug Bracewell admitted to using cocaine in the early hours of the morning after the first day of the match and before the second day’s play, Fox Cricket reported. Despite retiring from international cricket, he has been banned for two years. The bowler was due to play for Essex for the final three Championship matches of the previous season. He will remain out of any cricket related activities due to the ban sanctioned by the cricket regulator.
Since the trial was conducted in September last year, the 2-year ban period will be valid from November 24, 2025 to November 23, 2027. Meanwhile, the fast bowler was found guilty of the same in 2024. Doug Bracewell had earlier faced a one-month ban after testing positive for cocaine during New Zealand’s ‘Super Smash’ Twenty20 event in 2024.
The cricket club issued an official statement in this regard
“Essex can confirm that Doug Bracewell failed a routine drugs test in September 2025. The club supports the cricket regulator’s decision to impose a two-year ineligibility period. All staff are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct,” the club said in an official statement on Friday.
‘While the Club does not condone Bracewell’s behaviour, we are committed to supporting him through rehabilitation in line with our policies and procedures.’
It is reported that Doug Bracewell has admitted his crime, so the club will not have to face any consequences.
Bracewell has some notable wickets to his name for the New Zealand cricket team.
Doug Bracewell is a well-known face in world cricket having represented the New Zealand national cricket team in 28 Tests, 21 ODIs and 20 T20Is. He took 74 wickets in 51 innings in his Test career. His number of wickets in 21 matches in ODI is 26. In the shortest format of the game, the bowlers took 20 wickets in 20 matches at an economy rate of 9.09. During his tenure with the national team, he got the wickets of many notable batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma and many more. Overall, he played 69 international matches across all formats.
He is part of a famous New Zealand cricket family. Doug’s uncle John Bracewell played 28 Tests, and cousin Michael is currently a Black Cap, the BBC reported.
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