Doug Bracewell, a former New Zealand fast-bowling allrounder, has been handed a two-year ban after admitting to using cocaine during a county championship match for Essex against Somerset in September 2025. Despite his retirement from international cricket announced in December 2025, the ban will prevent him from participating in any professional matches. Bracewell had tested positive for the drug on September 25, after taking two wickets on the first day of the match. This is not his first offense; he previously served a one-month ban for a similar violation in 2024. The Essex cricket club has stated their support for the decision made by the Cricket Regulator, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high standards of professional conduct. Throughout his career, Bracewell represented New Zealand in 28 Tests, 21 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 20 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), taking over 100 wickets and scoring nearly 1000 runs. He hails from a cricketing family, with his father and uncle also having played for New Zealand.