Doug Bracewell hit with two-year ban for cocaine consumption

Former New Zealand and Essex all-rounder Doug Bracewell has been hit with a two-year ban after testing positive for cocaine in a County Championship match in England the previous year.

Bracewell was tested, and the results came out positive on September 25, 2025, during Essex’s clash against Somerset at Chelmsford. The player admitted to consuming cocaine in the hours after the first day of play and prior to the start of play on the second morning. 

Bracewell announced his retirement from cricket on December 28, after the results of the drug test. Despite this, he has still been hit with a two-year ban from any cricketing activity by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Bracewell previously served a one-month ban for testing positive for cocaine during New Zealand’s Super Smash T20 competition in 2024.

The ruling has been backdated to November 24, 2025, and runs until November 23, 2027. As reported by The Sunday Guardian, the ruling strictly prohibits Bracewell from:

• Participating in any sanctioned cricket activity (coaching, training, or representing a club).
• Taking up administrative or medical roles within any WADA-signatory organisation.
• Having his results from September to November 2025 counted (all his stats from that period have been disqualified).

He had signed for Essex for the final three matches of the County Championship season. The club have released a statement regarding the situation.

"Essex can confirm that Doug Bracewell failed a routine drugs test in September 2025. 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 said in a statement on Friday, April 24.

Bracewell has made 69 appearances for New Zealand, playing 28 Tests. He has accepted the ban, and no action will be taken against Essex.