English county player Jack Burnham has been suspended from playing cricket for a year after testing positive for a banned substance which was a recreational drug. In another incident which came as a massive blow to Durham-Keaton Jennings, Paul Coughlin and Graham Onions departed two weeks ago as the fall out of the financially imposed relegation has still not come to a standstill.
This means one of the best talents of the 2018 campaign has been ruled out. The youngster will be unavailable for a year under the guidelines of England and Wales Cricket Board’s illicit drugs policy. A hair test sample last month proved decisive, and following the 3rd offence of Durham, he served a 21-day suspension for his second violation of the protocol of the policy.
‘I am bitterly disappointed in my actions; I’ve let my teammates, members and supporters down,’ Burnham said.I will work exceptionally hard to retain my fitness and carry out the rehabilitation procedures that have been put in place,” Burnham was quoted by the Daily Mail.
Despite Burnham testing positive, the Professional Cricketers’ Association in their statement stated that they would support the youngster along with the club. Last year, Burnham was at his imperious best and scored 420 runs in the U-19 World Cup scoring three centuries. He was well ahead of India’s Rishabh Pant and Windies’ Shimron Hetmyer who have gone on to play international matches for their countries.
Now after being suspended for a year, in addition to his ban term, Burnham has to complete an approved rehabilitation including counselling, education and treatment before the resumption of his career.