Cricket Australia Board to discuss new Government anti-doping policy advice

Cricket Australia's Board, which is due to meet this week, will assess new advice from the Australian Government that training while suspended under the anti-doping policy is unacceptable.

Depending on Board advice, Cricket Australia is likely to then seek urgent talks involving the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA).

Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said Cricket Australia has late this week received a letter from the ASC advising that its interpretation is that the Cricket Australia anti-doping policy means suspended players cannot train under any circumstances as they are banned from receiving funding or assistance.

"Our own interpretation has been that training can be permissible in certain circumstances, such as when a suspended player is giving rather than receiving help, as long as there is no material assistance such as travel, accommodation or provision of equipment," Mr Sutherland said.

"Cricket Australia, ACA and the ASC have the same starting point, which is a determination that there is no place for doping in cricket, but implementation of this ideal needs discussion," he said.

Cricket Australia has a number of development programs which are ASC funded, with one funding condition being that cricket's anti-doping policy complies with ASC anti-doping strategy.