Cricket

Madhevere and Mavuta cleared to return to action after completing suspensions for drug use

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has cleared Wessly Madhevere and Brandon Mavuta to return to competitive cricket after they completed their four-month suspensions for drug use. The ban was imposed after the two players had tested positive for a recreational drug during an in-house dope test in December.

Brandon Mavuta: “It [the suspension] has actually been sort of a blessing in disguise because I had to spend more time focusing on my game and now I am fitter and stronger”•AFP

Madhevere and Mavuta last played for Zimbabwe during their home series against Ireland in December 2023. They also featured in one match each in the Logan Cup, for Mashonaland Eagles and Mid West Rhinos respectively, before their suspensions in January.

“I am pleased to welcome Wessly and Brandon back to competitive cricket after both of them underwent rehabilitation and also passed a drug test carried out to check if they were now clean,” Givemore Makoni, the ZC managing director, said in a statement. “More importantly, the two players acknowledged their mistakes and have vowed to stay clean and focus on their very promising careers as cricketers.”

There is, however, no update on batter Kevin Kasuza, who was also suspended in January after testing positive for a banned recreational drug.

Meanwhile, Davis Murwendo, a ZC academy player, also returned positive for a social drug in the latest round of internal tests. He is set to appear for a hearing soon.

The anti-drugs programme run by ZC is voluntary and separate from ICC and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) obligations.

“Recognising the dangers that recreational drugs may cause, ZC opted to go beyond the ICC and WADA obligations by implementing an in-house drugs testing programme,” Makoni said. “This is a very important initiative that should be hailed for providing education, counselling and treatment, where appropriate, to rehabilitate players who have become involved with social drugs.”