Former Black Cap Doug Bracewell Handed Two-Year Ban for Cocaine Use

Former Black Caps all-rounder Doug Bracewell has been banned for two years by the Cricket Regulator after testing positive for cocaine while playing for Essex.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 25, 2026, 4:09 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

The Incident and Positive Test

The Cricket Regulator has formally banned 35-year-old Doug Bracewell for two years after a routine drug test detected cocaine in his system on September 25, 2025. At the time, Bracewell was representing Essex in a County Championship fixture against Somerset at Chelmsford.

Bracewell admitted to using the prohibited substance after the first day of the match and again in the early hours of the morning before the second day's play. Following the notification of the failed test, Bracewell announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on December 28, 2025. However, the governing body proceeded with the disciplinary action, backdating the suspension to November 24, 2025 the date of his provisional ban. The period of ineligibility is set to conclude on November 23, 2027.

A History of Disciplinary Issues

This is not the first time the former international has faced sanctions for recreational drug use. In 2024, Bracewell served a one-month ban after testing positive for cocaine during the "Super Smash" Twenty20 tournament in New Zealand.

New Zealand's Sport Integrity Commission had previously warned that such recreational drug use poses a "real threat" to the health and safety of athletes. The escalation from a one-month ban to a two-year suspension reflects the Cricket Regulator's stricter stance on repeat offenses and the timing of the use (during a multi-day competitive fixture).