Chris Wright found to bear "no significant fault" ahead of return from anti-doping ban

A hearing at the start of May led to a nine-month suspension, backdated to October, with the panel accepting that there had been no intention on Wright's part to breach the regulations

Leicestershire seamer Chris Wright will return to playing later this month following a ban imposed by the National Anti-Doping Panel.

Wright, 38, was provisionally suspended by the Cricket Regulator after the consumption of a contaminated supplement returned a surprising Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for Ostarine.

A hearing at the start of May led to a nine-month suspension, backdated to October, with the panel accepting that there had been no intention on Wright's part to breach the regulations.

Wright, who has since been permitted to resume training with Leicestershire, can resume his playing career on July 19.

"I was shocked to find out that I had tested positive for trace amounts of a banned substance on a single occasion back in October 2023," said.

"I had been using a fruit supplement at the time, purchased from a well-known manufacturer, which had no sports performance-enhancing capability. I disclosed this fully on my doping control form before I provided a sample, as required, that returned the adverse result.

^{Chris Wright will return for Leicestershire later this month (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)}

"I was extremely fortunate that with the help of scientific experts, I was able to identify that the supplement was contaminated with Ostarine, a synthetic substance that ought not be in any food product in the UK, and the ECB accepted this.

"There has been no explanation from the supplement manufacturer as to how that came to be and, as the independent panel's decision in my case shows, I did not intend to take such substance, nor could I have even known the supplement was contaminated with it."

He added: "The panel found that I bore no significant fault and I am pleased this matter has been resolved so that I can resume playing soon, after what has been an extremely difficult and trying time for me and my family. I am back in training and looking forward to my full return."

Wright thanked Leicestershire for their support "during this difficult period" and the Professional Cricketers' Association for "their help, support and guidance".

"Lastly, I want to thank my family," he said. "Their love and positivity has helped me immensely during what has also been a really challenging time for them. I will always be grateful."

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