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After testing positive for a minuscule amount of a prohibited substance, veteran Leicestershire seamer Chris Wright disclosed that he has been serving a nine-month sentence for an anti-doping violation.
Wright opted out of a move to Sussex last year, but he signed a new contract with Leicestershire, where he has not played this season. The 38-year-old has now acknowledged in a statement issued through the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) that he “returned the adverse result” in October, confirming reports that his absence was brought on by a failed drugs test.
Wright was not able to avoid a ban even though the National Anti-Doping Agency and the Cricket Regulator acknowledged that he had not purposefully ingested Ostarine, a non-performance-enhancing chemical derived from a tainted dietary supplement. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) will be lobbied, according to the PCA, to reconsider its position on minute amounts of prohibited substances taken through contamination.
Because of the backdated nature of his sentence, Wright has now resumed his training and will be eligible to play for his county starting on July 19.
“I was shocked to find out that I had tested positive for trace amounts of a banned substance on a single occasion back in October 2023,” Wright said. “I had been using a fruit supplement at the time, purchased from a well-known manufacturer, which had no sports performance-enhancing capability. I disclosed this fully on my doping control form before I provided a sample, as required, that returned the adverse result.
“I was extremely fortunate that with the help of scientific experts, I was able to identify that the supplement was contaminated with Ostarine, a synthetic substance that ought not be in any food product in the UK, and the Cricket Regulator accepted this. There has been no explanation from the supplement manufacturer as to how that came to be and, as the independent panel’s decision in my case shows, I did not intend to take such substance, nor could I have even known the supplement was contaminated with it.
“The panel found that I bore no significant fault and I am pleased this matter has been resolved so that I can resume playing soon, after what has been an extremely difficult and trying time for me and my family. I am back in training and looking forward to my full return.
“I would like to thank the PCA for their support during the period of my suspension as this matter was resolved. Their help, support and guidance has been invaluable. I would also like to thank Leicestershire CCC, in particular Claude Henderson and Alfonso Thomas, for their support during this difficult period. They have been extremely patient and supportive during the whole process and have been keen to get me back playing as soon as possible. Lastly, I want to thank my family. Their love and positivity has helped me immensely during what has also been a really challenging time for them. I will always be grateful.”