Former New Zealand cricketer banned for two years after using cocaine during match

The former New Zealand bowler Doug Bracewell has been handed a two-year suspension from cricket after testing positive for cocaine after the first day’s play of Essex’s final County Championship game last season.

Bracewell, who played 28 Tests between 2011 and 2023, returned an “Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for the presence of cocaine and its metabolite, benzoylecgonine”, according to a statement from England’s Cricket Regulator, on an in-competition sample collected on September 25, 2025 – the second day of the match against Somerset at Chelmsford.

The regulator notified Bracewell last November and he responded on December 8, confirming he had used cocaine after the first day of the four-day match, and into the early hours of the following morning. The 35-year-old accepted this amounted to an in-competition ADR violation. Cocaine is listed as a prohibited substance under the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) anti-doping regulations.

Bracewell, who had previously played for Essex in 2023, had re-signed for the club for the final three Championship matches of last season.

He opened the bowling against Somerset, taking two wickets on the first day as the visitors reached 339-6. He ended the innings with 2-87 off his 22 overs and, having been dismissed without scoring in Essex’s reply, took 1-33 in the second innings as Somerset were skittled out for 99.

Essex went on to win the match by seven wickets.

Bracewell, who represented his country 69 times across all formats, retired from cricket on December 28 following the positive test. He had previously served a one-month ban for cocaine use back in 2024 but, despite his retirement, the regulator has now imposed a two-year suspension. He has accepted that sanction.

“Essex can confirm that Doug Bracewell failed a routine drugs test in September 2025,” confirmed Essex in a club statement. “The club supports the Cricket Regulator’s decision to impose a period of ineligibility of two years. All employees are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct.

“While the club does not condone Bracewell’s behaviour, we are committed to supporting him through rehabilitation in line with our policies and procedures.”

The club will face no punishment.

Bracewell, who made his Test debut against Zimbabwe in November 2011, is part of a celebrated New Zealand cricket family. His father, Brendon, played the last of his six Test matches in 1985, while his uncle, John, was a talented off-spin bowler who also played 28 Tests. He has subsequently coached at the highest level. Doug’s cousin, Michael, is a member of the current Test setup.

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