Kagiso Rabada joins these 9 international cricketers in recreational drug use
South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been a notable absentee from the IPL this season. He started as part of the powerful Gujarat Titans squad, playing two games before he returned home to South Africa for what were termed “personal reasons”.
It has now been revealed that Rabada tested positive for the use of a recreational drug and that he is serving a provisional suspension. While Rabada has apologized and expressed his remorse it is unclear what substance he was caught using and when he will be back to the field of play.
It will be a concern for South Africa who are due to face Australia at Lords next month in the final of the World Test Championship.
Rabada’s is certainly not the first player to enjoy a dalliance with narcotics. There is a long list of players who have been bust for the use of banned recreational substances. Let’s have a look at some of these from over the years – some of these players ended up in trouble during their playing years, for others it was in later life.
1. Chris Lewis (England)
Former England all-rounder Chris Lewis was arrested in December 2008 for attempting to smuggle 3.37 kilograms of liquid cocaine into the UK from Saint Lucia. He was convicted and sentenced to 13 years in prison in May 2009.
After serving six years, Lewis was released in 2015 and has since worked as a motivational speaker and cricket coach.
2. Ed Giddins (England)
In 1996, English fast bowler Ed Giddins tested positive for cocaine and received a 20-month ban from cricket.
Later, in 2004, he faced a five-year ban for betting against his own team in a county match (although he wasn’t playing in the game), further tarnishing his cricketing career. Giddins played four Tests for England with best figures of five for 15.
3. Alex Hales (England)
Alex Hales was withdrawn from England’s 2019 World Cup squad after serving a 21-day ban for recreational drug use. The incident led to significant scrutiny and Hales expressed deep regret over his actions which were said to have led to a massive loss of trust between Hales and his teammates.
Despite the setback, he was able to stage a return to the international stage as he was a last-minute recall to the England side that won the T20 World Cup in 2022.
4. Herschelle Gibbs (South Africa)
In 2001, South African batsman and serial bad-boy Herschelle Gibbs, along with teammates Roger Telemachus, Paul Adams, Justin Kemp, Andre Nel and team physio Craig Smith, was fined for smoking marijuana during a tour of the West Indies.
The incident, which was dealt with internally, reportedly created major rifts in the team.
5. Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan)
Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar tested positive for the banned substance nandrolone in 2006, resulting in a two-year suspension. However, the ban was overturned on appeal due to procedural issues.
Akhtar maintained that he had unknowingly consumed the substance through dietary supplements.
6. Dermot Reeve (England)
Former England all-rounder and commentator Dermot Reeve admitted in 2005 to a cocaine addiction, revealing that he had used the drug even while commentating on live matches.
He resigned from his broadcasting role and later moved to Australia to rebuild his life. In an interview with Mail on Sunday at the time, Reeve admitted to smoking marijuana as a player, suggesting that it had been commonly used: “If every cricketer I knew at the time I played was banned from playing, you would not have seen very good teams out there.
I am talking about the teams in the 90s, when I played for England and Warwickshire. I occasionally smoked marijuana at that time out of season, but it was never a problem,” he said.
7. David Murray (West Indies)
Controversial West Indian wicketkeeper David Murray struggled with drug addiction throughout his career. He began using marijuana at a young age and later progressed to cocaine.
His substance abuse issues contributed to the premature end of his international career although a lifetime ban for being a rebel tourist to South Africa was the ultimate death knell. Murray passed away in 2022 at the age of 72.
8. Stephen Fleming (New Zealand)
In the early 1990s, New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, along with teammates Dion Nash and Matthew Hart, was fined and suspended for smoking marijuana during a tour to South Africa.
The incident led to a three-match ban and significant media attention, but Fleming went on to have a successful international career.
As was the case with the South African incident in the Caribbean, Fleming’s case also led to internal ructions within the team – Fleming said that more than half the team were involved but that he, Hart and Nash were made scapegoats after Danny Morrison reported the incident to team management.
9. Ian Botham (England)
In 1986, legendary English all-rounder Ian Botham was banned for 63 days after admitting to smoking cannabis.
The suspension was a significant moment in cricket’s approach to drug use, highlighting the need for clear policies and education. Botham was bust after a troubled tour to the West Indies.
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