HOW CRICKET HANDLES DRUG ABUSE
DOES CRICKET FOLLOW OTHER SPORTS ON DRUG-TESTING?
Yes — the ECB complies with the World Anti-Doping Agency code, the same as football and rugby union.
HOW MANY CRICKETERS GET TESTED ANNUALLY?
The latest figures from WADA, relating to 2015, show that 995 players were tested globally. Just two (0.2%) were positive. In the UK, 87 urine samples were taken and none revealed adverse findings.
ARE COUNTY PLAYERS BRIEFED ON DRUG RULES?
The ECB produce updated antidoping advice annually and players receive laminated ‘kit-bag cards’ each season to serve as a constant reminder of the regulations, any changes, usual contact numbers in case of uncertainty and a list of prohibited substances.
MUST THEY GIVE DETAILS OF THEIR WHEREABOUTS?
Yes, absolutely. Although this procedure is taken care of by a club’s operations manager. It is not unusual that a player’s movements will change due to injury, rehabilitation and loss of form, and a team’s schedule might alter for poor weather.
HOW STRINGENT IS TESTING?
The ECB and Professional Cricketers’ Association go over and above WADA recommendations in this regard. Hair samples — of 3cm length, to represent three months of history — are taken from all registered professionals in the UK, both in pre-season and at the end of season. Drug testers can turn up on both training days and match days to take random samples up to half a dozen times in a summer.
WHAT HAPPENS IF A PLAYER FAILS A TEST?
A first instance will result in the ECB’s chief medical officer, Nick Peirce, being informed. The player is then interviewed to assess the most appropriate course of action, with counselling and treatment options. It does not follow that his employers are informed — only the club’s doctor.
BUT FOR A REPEAT OFFENCE?
The same medical process follows but chief executives of the club in question, the ECB and PCA are all informed and the sanction is a 21-day ban and a fine of five per cent of annual salary. A third ‘positive’ carries a 12-month ban and a fourth comes with a three-year suspension. A rehabilitation programme is mandatory before returning to action.