Laurie Evans’ provisional suspension lifted after testing positive in anti-doping test

Laurie Evans (Photo source: Twitter)

England batter Laurie Evans’ provisional suspension has been lifted from all forms of cricket after testing positive in an anti-doping test in August-September 2022. Notably, the Englishman was to face a four-year ban following the dope test if found guilty in the investigation.

Evans tested positive from a sample sent for an anti-doping test during the second edition of The Hundred. Following the unfortunate news, the star batter, who represented Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League, was dropped from the squad after his contract was terminated by the franchise.

As per reports by ESPNcricinfo, Evan’s suspension was raised in a ruling on Tuesday. In addition to this, he has not been absolved of the charges, however, is free to resume his professional career till the hearing is given, which will be held later this year.

Comeback in Vitality Blast on the cards for Evans

The 35-year-old batter is currently under a contract with English county side Surrey and could potentially make his comeback in the forthcoming edition of the Vitality Blast. However, the English Cricket Board (ECB) and Surrey have not released any official statement as yet on his return to the side for the upcoming edition.

It is understood that the veteran right-hander could also feature in the revised longlist of players for the Hundred draft, which will be held on Thursday, March 23. Evans donned the Manchester Originals outfit in the 2022 season of the Hundred and was among the leading run-scorer of the event with 172 runs from 10 outings.

With the inaugural edition of the Major League Cricket (MLC) set to begin in the US, Evans is likely to make himself available for the much-awaited league. The right-hander played his last T20 match on September 3, 2022, against the Trent Rockets in the summit clash of the Hundred. Notably, Evans led the side and could only manage to amass four runs only for a losing cause at the iconic Lord’s in London.