NEW DELHI: Former New Zealand and Essex all-rounder Doug Bracewell has been handed a two-year suspension after testing optimistic for cocaine throughout an English County Championship match final yr.Bracewell’s optimistic check got here on September 25, 2025, whereas he was taking part in for Essex County Cricket Membership in opposition to Somerset County Cricket Membership at Chelmsford. After being notified of the optimistic end result, Bracewell retired from cricket on December 28.The 35-year-old admitted to utilizing cocaine after the primary day of the fixture and once more within the early hours earlier than the beginning of play on the second day.Regardless of his retirement, Bracewell – who had signed for Essex for the ultimate three Championship matches of the season – was nonetheless handed a two-year ban by the Cricket Regulator.He had beforehand served a one-month suspension in 2024 after testing optimistic for cocaine throughout New Zealand’s ‘Tremendous Smash’ T20 competitors.The most recent suspension has been backdated to November 24, 2025 – the date of his provisional ban – and can stay in impact till November 23, 2027.Bracewell, who represented New Zealand in 69 matches throughout codecs, has accepted the sanction, whereas Essex won’t face any punishment.“Essex can verify that Doug Bracewell failed a routine medication check in September 2025,” the membership mentioned in an announcement on Friday.“The membership helps the Cricket Regulator’s choice to impose a interval of ineligibility of two years. All staff are required to fulfill the best requirements {of professional} conduct.“Whereas the membership doesn’t condone Bracewell’s behaviour, we’re dedicated to supporting him by means of rehabilitation in keeping with our insurance policies and procedures.”
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