Zimbabwe Cricket greenlights Madhevere, Mavuta for comeback after doping ban

Wessly Madhevere and Brandon Mavuta. (Source -Twitter/X)

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has given the green light for Wessly Madhevere and Brandon Mavuta to step back onto the cricket field following the completion of their four-month suspensions due to drug use. The duo faced the music after testing positive for a recreational drug during an internal dope test conducted in December.

Under ZC’s rehabilitation plan, Madhevere and Mavuta underwent training within the high-performance program while also bearing the brunt of a 50% salary deduction for three months starting January 2024. Now, having served their time and met the requirements, both players have passed subsequent drug tests.

Their return is a welcomed move, especially after their absence since the home series against Ireland in December 2023. Both even managed appearances in the Logan Cup, representing Mashonaland Eagles and Mid-West Rhinos before their suspensions kicked in.

“I am pleased to welcome Wessly and Brandon back to competitive cricket after both of them underwent rehabilitation and also passed a drug test carried out to check if they were now clean,” Givemore Makoni, the ZC managing director, said in a statement, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“More importantly, the two players acknowledged their mistakes and have vowed to stay clean and focus on their very promising careers as cricketers,” he added.

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However, there’s still silence regarding batter Kevin Kasuza, who also faced suspension in January for similar reasons. And it’s not just limited to him; Davis Murwendo, a ZC academy player, has recently tested positive for a social drug, awaiting a hearing.

ZC’s anti-drugs program, while voluntary and separate from ICC and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) obligations, deserves applause for its proactive stance.

“Recognising the dangers that recreational drugs may cause, ZC opted to go beyond the ICC and WADA obligations by implementing an in-house drugs testing programme,” Makoni said. “This is a very important initiative that should be hailed for providing education, counselling and treatment, where appropriate, to rehabilitate players who have become involved with social drugs.”