England opener Alex Hales who recently made himself unavailable for “personal reasons” and hasn’t set a date for his return, is now banned for 21 days after falling foul of England and Wales Cricket Board’s recreational drugs policy for the second time in his career.
All professional men’s cricketers in England and Wales – as well as centrally contracted women’s players – are subject to hair follicle tests at the start and end of every season that can detect substances in the system for up to three months.
If there’s any violation for the first time, the players will be informed privately through the country’s rehabilitation support.
For the second violation, the player will be banned for 21 days and will be asked to play 5% of total match fee.
Players will be banned right next day of the confirmation of the test and the exact date of Alex Hales’s ban is unknown but he is expected to join the team for practice camp soon.
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