The statement added that Bracewell “admitted to using cocaine but claimed he used it outside of competition, before midnight the day before the competition and that it was unrelated to his sporting performance.” The Sport Integrity Commission did not accept this and argued that “such use must have occurred during a match”.
The court imposed a ‘one-month suspension period’ starting on April 11, the day the temporary suspension order was issued.
The committee and Bracewell subsequently submitted expert evidence on the matter, with a pre-tribunal hearing scheduled for 11 and 12 December. However, last week, on November 11, “the attorney submitted a joint memorandum pointed out by the committee. After considering all of the evidence presented in this action, we find, on the balance, Mr. Bracewell’s position.” As a result, “because Mr. Bracewell had satisfactorily completed a Board-approved substance of abuse treatment program, the appropriate sanction period was three months; , it was agreed that this would be shortened to one month.”
The tribunal subsequently imposed a ‘one-month suspension period’ starting from April 11, the date of the interim suspension order.
Bracewell, 34, has played 28 Tests (74 wickets), 21 ODIs (26 wickets) and 20 T20Is (20 wickets) since making his international debut in October 2011. He last played for New Zealand in a Test match against Sri Lanka in Wellington. March 2023.
A Central District player throughout his domestic career, Bracewell recently suspended his contract with the club to become a freelancer. He will next appear in the Abu Dhabi T10 League with the New York Strikers and in SA20 with the Joburg Super Kings early next year.
