Durham cricketer Jack Burnham banned for a year following failed drug test

Promising young English cricketer, Jack Burnham, has been banned for a year by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The 20-year old cricketer failed a recently conducted drug test following which he was handed the 12-month ban. The cricket career of the youngster had just started to escalate as he had recently signed a new contract with the Durham County.

He had provided a hair sample to the drug testers in the month of September this year. The test samples proved to be positive and a recreational drug was found in the hair sample. Jack Burnham is absolutely dejected with himself and feels he has let down his fans and members of the team by his actions. However, he has vouched to come back stronger and as a better cricketer in the years to come.

“I am bitterly disappointed in my actions, I’ve let my teammates, members and supporters down. I will work exceptionally hard to retain my fitness and carry out the rehabilitation procedures that have been put in place,” quoted a dejected Jack Burnham.

Durham and PCA to support Jack

As per the reports in SkySports, the Durham side, as well as the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), have expressed their desire to help Jack in this time of crisis. They issued a statement wherein they stated that the drug policy of the institution is something that all players must be aware of.

“We are aware of the situation surrounding Jack Burnham and we will continue to work closely with Durham and the ECB to support Jack. There is an illicit drugs policy in place and we are very much part of that policy. All current players are made aware of the policy and the consequences of any breaches of the policy, during our programme of pre-season visits to the first-class counties and MCC Young Cricketers,” a statement from the PCA quoted.