'Shocked to find out that I had tested positive' - Leicestershire pacer Chris Wright admits to serving anti-doping ban

Leicestershire County Cricket Club seamer Chris Wright has disclosed that he has been serving a nine-month anti-doping ban. The 38-year-old veteran, who renewed his contract with the club last year, has been conspicuously absent from the field throughout the entire season.

The ban comes from Wright testing positive for a trace amount of an illegal substance in October 2023. Despite the Cricket Regulator and the National Anti-Doping Agency acknowledging that Wright's consumption was unintentional, the rules demanded a suspension. Wright expressed his disbelief at the situation.

"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... 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," Wright said as quoted by India Today.

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I did not intend to take such a substance: Chris Wright

The substance in question was identified as Ostarine, a synthetic compound not typically found in food products in the UK. Wright and his team of scientific experts were able to prove that the supplement was contaminated with this substance, a fact accepted by the Cricket Regulator.

"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 to be in any food product in the UK, and the Cricket Regulator accepted this," he added.

"I did not intend to take such a 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," Wright concluded.

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In response to this incident, the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) has announced its intention to lobby the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to reassess its policy on trace amounts of banned substances ingested through contamination.

This move could potentially lead to changes in how such cases are handled in the future. As Wright's ban nears its end, he has returned to training with Leicestershire. He will be eligible to resume full playing action from July 19.