1. Home
  2. /

    News
  3. /

    Chris Wright's Backdated Ban for Failed Drug Test
Chris Wright's Backdated Ban for Failed Drug Test
Chris Wright. Source: bbc.com

Chris Wright's Backdated Ban for Failed Drug Test

Leicestershire seam bowler Chris Wright has received a backdated nine-month suspension following a failed drug test.

The 38-year-old tested positive for ostarine, a substance with effects similar to testosterone, in September of the previous year.

Wright accepted two charges of violating the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) anti-doping regulations.

The suspension is retroactive to October 2023, allowing Wright to resume playing for his county on July 19. He stated, "I am back in training and eagerly anticipating my full return."

Wright, who has also played for Middlesex and Warwickshire, has accumulated 780 wickets across all formats, with 588 in red-ball cricket.

In his last game for Leicestershire against Durham in September last year, he took 3-65. A potential transfer to Sussex fell through the following month, leading him to sign a new two-year contract at Grace Road.

A comprehensive report on the case revealed that Wright submitted a letter asserting he did not "intentionally 'dope' or act recklessly or negligently."

He admitted to the charges, explaining that he had taken the banned substance "inadvertently and unknowingly" through a bilberry food supplement purchased online.

Upon learning of the ban, Wright expressed: "I was shocked to discover I tested positive for trace amounts of a prohibited substance on a single occasion in October 2023."

"I had been using a fruit supplement at the time, bought from a reputable manufacturer, which had no sports performance-enhancing properties."

"Fortunately, with the assistance of scientific experts, I identified that the supplement was contaminated with ostarine, a synthetic substance that should not be present in any UK food product, and the Cricket Regulator accepted this."

He added: "The panel determined that I bore no significant fault, and I am relieved this matter is resolved so that I can soon return to playing after what has been an incredibly challenging time for me and my family."

Get the latest news to your inbox.

Subscribe to the newsletter

We value your privacy and promise not to distribute your email to third parties.