Home / Sports / Ex-NZ Star Bracewell Gets Two Years for Cocaine Misconduct
Ex-NZ Star Bracewell Gets Two Years for Cocaine Misconduct
25 Apr
Summary
- Doug Bracewell received a two-year ban for a cocaine positive test.
- The positive test occurred during an English County Championship match.
- Bracewell previously served a one-month ban for cocaine in 2024.

Doug Bracewell, a former all-rounder for New Zealand and Essex, has received a two-year suspension from cricket. This penalty stems from a positive cocaine test administered on September 25, 2025, during an English County Championship match. Bracewell confessed to using cocaine after the first day of the fixture and before the second day's play.
Following the positive test notification, Bracewell retired from cricket on December 28, 2025. Despite his retirement, the Cricket Regulator imposed the two-year ban, which is backdated to November 24, 2025, and will extend until November 23, 2027. This is not Bracewell's first doping offense; he previously served a one-month ban in 2024 for testing positive for cocaine during New Zealand's 'Super Smash' Twenty20 event.
Bracewell, who played 69 matches for New Zealand, has accepted the ban, and Essex will not face any disciplinary action. The club stated they support the Cricket Regulator's decision and are committed to supporting Bracewell through rehabilitation.