Dynamic Duo Banned For Four Months By Zimbabwe Cricket In Drug Case

image-lrt7uic9Madhevere, Mavuta have been banned (x.com)

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has imposed four-month bans on all-rounder Wesley Madhevere and leg-spinner Brandon Mavuta due to their involvement in recreational drug use. This decision comes after both players tested positive for a banned recreational substance during an in-house doping test conducted in December last year. 

The board has also implemented an immediate suspension on Kevin Kasuza, who is facing charges under the ZC Employment Code of Conduct and awaits a disciplinary hearing.

Madhevere and Mavuta admitted to the charges of breaching the ZC Employment Code of Conduct during a disciplinary hearing last Wednesday. The ban is accompanied by a 50 percent salary fine for three months, effective from January 2024. Additionally, both players have received final written warnings valid for 12 months. As part of their rehabilitation process overseen by ZC medical personnel, Madhevere and Mavuta are mandated to train under ZC's High-Performance program.

The ZC release highlighted the zero-tolerance policy of the board towards drugs, considering drug-taking a serious offense that brought the cricket organization into disrepute. Despite the severity of the sanctions, the Disciplinary Committee took into account mitigating factors, including the players' remorse and ongoing efforts to withdraw from the habit and cleanse their systems.

"ZC has a zero tolerance towards drugs and drug taking and, in imposing the sanctions, the Disciplinary Committee considered that drug taking was a serious offence and that the breach by the two players had brought the organisation and the game of cricket into disrepute," a ZC release stated.


"In taking the decision, the Committee also considered some mitigating factors, with both players showing remorse and having already started working on withdrawing from the habit and getting their systems clean,” the release further stated.

Madhevere and Mavuta last participated in the T20I series against Ireland at home, with Mavuta further playing in three ODIs against Ireland. On the other hand, Kevin Kasuza faces a ban from all cricketing activities pending a disciplinary hearing, as he is charged under the ZC Employment Code of Conduct.

Madhevere played two Tests, 36 ODIs, and 60 T20Is for Zimbabwe. While he is yet to make an impact in Test matches, he has contributed 705 runs in ODIs, including five half-centuries, with a best of 72. In T20Is, Madhevere has scored 1,047 runs at an average of 20.94 and a strike rate of 118.97, featuring seven half-centuries and a best of 73*. Additionally, his off-spin has yielded 13 wickets in both ODIs and T20Is.

The 26-year-old Mavuta has represented Zimbabwe in four Tests, 12 ODIs, and 10 T20Is. His international career includes 26 wickets and a notable half-century in a Test against West Indies in Bulawayo in February 2023. Having played only five international games, Kevin Kasuza is the least experienced among the three players facing charges.