Generally you must have heard of athletes using drugs to improve their performance in big events like the Olympics. But now a similar shocking incident has come to light in cricket also. A New Zealand cricketer came on the field under the influence of cocaine before the match, bowled tremendously and then helped his team win the match with explosive batting. However, when he was tested after the match, he was found positive and he was also banned for one month.
Actually, New Zealand's fast bowling all-rounder Doug Bracewell played a domestic T20 match in January this year. The Sports Integrity Commission has revealed that 34-year-old Bracewell, who played for Central Districts, was under the influence of cocaine in a match against Wellington. He performed tremendously in the match after being drunk. Wellington team won the toss and decided to bat first. While bowling against him, Bracewell took 2 wickets for just 21 runs in 4 overs.
Batting first, Wellington had set a target of 148 runs, while chasing which Bracewell scored unbeaten 30 runs in just 11 balls. In this short innings he hit 4 sixes. Apart from this, he also took two catches in the match. Due to this explosive performance, the Central Districts team easily won the match by 6 wickets with 19 balls remaining. After this Bracewell was chosen player of the match.
When he was tested after the match, he was found positive, after which he was banned as per the rules. His team also admitted that Bracewell had consumed cocaine. However, he said that the team and the match had nothing to do with it. He had come already intoxicated without any knowledge. However, Bracewell then participated in a treatment program, after which his sentence was reduced to one month.
Bracewell was given a one-month sentence for drug abuse backdated to April 2024. He played his last home match in March 2024. The punishment was given with retrospective effect, so it has been ruled that his suspension has been completed and he can once again participate in cricket.
