Former New Zealand and Essex all-rounder Doug Bracewell has received a two-year ban after testing positive for cocaine during a County Championship match in England last year.
Bracewell was tested, and the results, which came out positive on September 25, 2025, were linked to Essex’s match against Somerset at Chelmsford. He admitted to taking cocaine shortly after the first day’s play and before the second day’s play began.
He announced his retirement from Cricket on December 28 following the drug test results. Despite his retirement, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) imposed a two-year ban on him from all cricketing activities.
This is not Bracewell’s first issue with drug tests; he previously served a one-month ban for a positive test during New Zealand’s Super Smash T20 competition in 2024.
The ban is backdated to November 24, 2025, and will last until November 23, 2027. According to The Sunday Guardian, the ruling prohibits Bracewell from:
- Participating in any cricket-related activities, including coaching, training, or playing for a club.
- Holding any administrative or medical positions within any organization that follows WADA regulations.
- Having his results from September to November 2025 recognized (his statistics from that period have been annulled).
Bracewell had joined Essex for the last three matches of the County Championship season. The club has released a statement about the situation.
“Essex can confirm that Doug Bracewell failed a routine drugs test in September 2025. The club supports the decision of the Cricket Regulator to impose a two-year ban. All employees are expected to uphold high standards of conduct.
“While the club does not condone Bracewell’s actions, we are committed to supporting him through rehabilitation as per our policies and procedures,” the club stated on Friday, April 24.
Bracewell has made 69 appearances for New Zealand, including 28 Tests. He has accepted the ban, and there will be no repercussions for Essex.