Drug tests for Stanford 20/20
More than 40 random drug tests will be carried out among the teams during the Stanford 20/20 tournament in Antigua, according to a report by Haydn Gill in the Barbados Nation."We are aiming to make sure that the tournament follows the highest professional standards and to this end Sir Allen [Stanford] wanted drug testing to be implemented to make certain that no player has an unfair advantage over another," said Stanford 20/20 spokesman Imran Khan. The testing will be supervised by the Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (RADO) and will be in keeping with ICC procedures during international tournaments, Khan said.
At the end of every match, one player from each team will be selected for testing. A draw, done in the presence of team managers, will be carried out to determine which player is tested and the player will accompany the RADO official to a secure facility to submit a urine sample.
The report quoted RADO chairman Dr Adrian Lorde as saying that drug testing in Caribbean cricket and worldwide was "long overdue."
"Caribbean countries are all members of the World Anti-Doping Agency. They are bound to do testing in domestic sporting competitions," Lorde said. "We've been slow in getting cricket in the Caribbean to get it sorted out. The WICB has a draft policy before them and I am sure they would be willing to introduce testing to regional competitions, but costs may have been a factor.
"I must compliment the organisers of the Stanford 20/20 for taking the innovative and bold step of introducing drug testing. It will lead to better recognition and acceptance of the tournament."
The most prominent cricketer to fail a drug test was outstanding former Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne, who tested positive for a banned substance during the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.
While drug use is more rampant in other sports, there have not been many cases in cricket and some observers still question whether drugs could enhance a cricketer's performance.
"It has always been a controversial issue . . . . It can enhance the competitive nature of the cricketer," Lorde said.
"A fast bowler may be able to bowl for longer periods of time. He may be able to bowl faster. A player may be able to throw the ball harder and quicker. With the increased physical demands on the cricketers, recovery time from match to match and from injury may be shortened."