Rabada free to face Australia in Lord’s Test final after one-month drugs ban

South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada is free to face Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s next month after serving a one-month ban for testing positive to a “substance of abuse” under anti-doping rules.

Rabada revealed on Saturday night that a positive drugs test and subsequent provisional ban were the reasons he abruptly left the Indian Premier League at the end of March.

Kagiso Rabada celebrates dismissing Tim Paine in 2018.Credit: AP

The positive test was recorded during the South Africa Twenty20 league after a game between MI Cape Town and Durban Super Giants on January 21, about halfway through the tournament.

“The player accepted responsibility for the doping offence and honoured his provisional suspension,” a South African Institute for Drug Free Sport statement said.

“As per the South African anti-doping rules specifically pertaining to a substance of abuse, the player was offered an opportunity to complete a substance abuse treatment program.

“After Mr Rabada satisfactorily completed two sessions of his treatment program, his provisional suspension ended. The player has effectively served one (1) month period of ineligibility and may now resume participation in sport.”

The term “substance of abuse” refers to cocaine, heroin, ecstasy or cannabis. Rabada, 29, has already returned to the IPL and may play as soon as this week for Gujarat Titans.

Former Australian captain Tim Paine had questioned the process under which Rabada tested positive for recreational drug use.

“It stinks,” Paine said on his SEN Radio breakfast show. “I don’t like this use around personal issues and it being used to hide stuff that isn’t a personal issue. If you have a professional sportsman that’s tested for recreational drugs during a tournament in which he is playing, that doesn’t fall under personal issues for me.

“That falls under you have broken your contract. That is not a personal issue, that is something that is happening in your personal life.

“Taking drugs – recreational or performance enhancing – is not a personal issue that can just be hidden for a month. A guy can be taken out the IPL, moved back to South Africa and we just let it slide under the rug. Then we will bring him back once he’s already served his ban.”

There has been some consternation in Australian cricket circles about how Rabada’s positive test and return home were cloaked in secrecy before he spoke publicly on his way back to the IPL.

“Not only will he play against Australia in the world Test championship, but he’s available to be playing now in the IPL,” Paine said. “No one knew about what he’s taken, what he was given or who the organising body was that oversaw it.

“If he is going to take drugs and be caught doing it, I think people deserve to know what he’s taken, how long he is being rubbed out for and who sanctioned it (the suspension). People need to be held to account for stuff like that.”

Kagiso Rabada, seen here with Pat Cummins, is a key threat to Australia’s World Test Championship bid.Credit: Getty

Cricket South Africa has described the episode as “regrettable” but has given no indication that Rabada will be penalised further.

“Cricket South Africa (CSA) can confirm that Proteas Men right-arm fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has returned an adverse analytical finding for the use of a prohibited substance,” CSA stated.

"The incident is regrettable, however, Rabada has reassured CSA and his fans of his commitment to upholding professional standards and has restated his passion to the sport of cricket and the country he represents with purpose.

“CSA is fully committed to drug-free sport and reminds cricket players, both professional and amateur, of the importance of adhering to all regulations. We are steadfast in our support to all players in this regard.”

Under World Anti-Doping Authority regulations, a positive test is regarded as “out of competition” if the player can prove that the drug use took place before 11.59pm on the eve of competition and was not intended to enhance performance, reducing the penalty to three months from anywhere up to four years.

The penalty can then be commuted further, to one month, if the athlete completes a drug treatment program under the supervision of the relevant authority.

“I couldn’t have gone through this alone,” Rabada said. “I’d like to thank my agent, CSA, and Gujarat Titans for their support. I’d also like to thank SACA and my legal team for their guidance and counsel.

“Most importantly, I’d like to thank my friends and family for their understanding and love. Moving forward, this moment will not define me. I will keep doing what I have always done, continuously working hard and playing with passion and devotion to my craft.”

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