New Zealand's Doug Bracewell handed two-year ban after testing positive for cocaine
Former New Zealand international Doug Bracewell has been handed a two-year suspension after testing positive for cocaine before his retirement from all cricket last year, England's Cricket Regulator said on Friday.
The 35-year-old all-rounder, who retired from all forms of cricket in December after finishing his career in England with Essex, played 69 times for New Zealand across formats, including 28 Tests.
Bracewell's positive test came on September 25, 2025 while he was playing for Essex against Somerset at Chelmsford.
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The 35-year-old admitted using cocaine after the first day of the fixture and in the early hours of the morning prior to the second day's play.
Cocaine is classified as a prohibited substance under the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) anti-doping regulations.
Doug Bracewell of New Zealand bowls during the third and final one-day international cricket match between the New Zealand and the Netherlands at Seddon Park on April 04, 2022 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images) Getty
Essex confirmed in a statement that he had failed a drug test.
"While the Club does not condone Bracewell's behaviour, we are committed to supporting him through rehabilitation in line with our policies and procedures," Essex added.
Bracewell was also sanctioned in New Zealand in 2024 after testing positive for cocaine following a domestic Twenty20 match, for which he served a one-month suspension after completing a substance abuse treatment programme.
