Cricket on drugs

From Brendan Layton, Australia
Drugs are the most temperamental subject in world sport. It taints athletes and their records, and their actions can simply be described as cheating their sport and cheating themselves. Cricket has been rocked by drug dramas in recent years, with the Akthar/Asif controversy and now the revelation that West Indies players Xavier Marshall and Tonito Willett have tested positive to a substance that has not yet been disclosed.

The Akthar/Asif story was a disgrace. Both players were found guilty, both were suspended and then had their penalties overturned by the PCB, an absolute insult to the cricketing community. Shane Warne was caught using a diuretic and was banned for a year, although he probably should have been banned for longer. Although we are yet to figure out what Marshall and Willett were caught taking, they will face serious sanctions from their board that already has enough on its plate.

Drugs has rarely reared its ugly head in sport, but to stamp it out, boards and, specifically the spineless ICC, need to show initiative and either ban players for life or send them packing for a long time. It is the only way to make sure it does not harm the reputation of the game.