Latest news with #SouthAfricanCricketers'Association
IOL News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Safety of South Africans in the IPL is non-negotiable, SACA insists
Kagiso Rabada, coming off suspension, is back in India to participate in the IPL. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix The health and safety of South African players competing in the IPL is of paramount importance, according to Andrew Breetzke, CEO of the South African Cricketers' Association (SACA). Over the past few weeks, SACA — in collaboration with the ICC — has gathered independent security intelligence regarding the on-the-ground situation in India, with a view to safeguarding the eight South Africans currently participating in the tournament. These players include Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Breetzke confirmed that SACA has been in daily contact with the players, providing them with regular updates and offering psychological support throughout this period. 'As a rule, we have independent security advisors, and prior to any tour involving our players, we receive independent security reports covering the region in question. That is standard international practice,' said Breetzke. 'I've been in daily contact with our cricketers regarding the security situation, and they have expressed concern. At this stage, all indications suggest the league will resume on Saturday.' The IPL was suspended in early May following the cancellation of the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals, after a security incident involving Pakistan attempting to breach Indian airspace near Chandigarh. The incident led to a stadium blackout and increased safety concerns. The tournament is set to resume on Saturday, with 17 matches scheduled across six cities — Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad — and the final slated for June 3, the same day the Proteas are to play a warm-up match against Zimbabwe. The suspension has, therefore, caused scheduling complications for the South African contingent, many of whom are due to return home in preparation for the World Test Championship final against Australia, taking place from June 11. Breetzke emphasised the importance of players adhering to the originally planned departure window. 'As it stands, the players are expected to return between the 25th and 26th of May in order to begin preparations for the WTC final. I expect this schedule to be honoured, and it must be in the best interest of our game,' he said. On Thursday, Cricket South Africa's head of national teams, Enoch Nkwe, made a similar commitment in an interview with Independent Media, although concerns remain.
News18
11-05-2025
- Sport
- News18
Kagiso Rabada Tested Positive For Cocaine, Legal Team Helped Avoid Lengthy Ban
A report claims that Kagiso Rabada's one-month ban midway into IPL 2025 was after traces of a cocaine-based metabolite was discovered during a drug test. Cricketing fans were left perplexed when the South African pacer, Kagiso Rabada, opted to leave the squad midway through the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League without any details regarding his reasons. The release by the IPL mentioned that the bowler flew back home citing 'personal reasons'. But a statement by the South African Cricketers' Association (SACA) mentioned that the bowler had travelled back home after an adverse finding for the use of a recreational drug and was serving a provisional suspension for this violation of the World Anti-Doping Agency code. But a report by Rapport sheds light on the drug that is in question. The report claims that as per the urine sample provided by the cricketer on January 21, 2025, after the SA20 fixture between MI Cape Town and the Durban Super Giants at the Kingsmead Stadium in Durban, 'traces of benzoylecgonine (BZE), a metabolite of cocaine' were detected. advetisement Usually when an athlete is known to be using drugs, it can result in a lengthy ban but the CEO of South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS), Khalid Grant was quoted appreciating the manner in which Rabada and his legal team went about the whole issue, which could have been a big blot in his career. 'He was smart to go down that route. If you know you did it, it saves you time and legal fees," he was quoted as saying. His legal-team were able to prove the the usage of the drug was out of competition based on the concentration of the metabolite which was less than 1000 nanograms per millilitre. This meant that as per WADA code, his ban would be reduced to a month. The bowler had also released a statement regarding the whole issue but did not openly admit to the usage of drugs. He remains committed to maintaining his professional standards as an athlete and wants to make a quick return to the sport. For the moment, the Indian Premier League has been suspended due to the ongoing India-Pakistan military tensions and is in the works to be restarted soon. It remains to be seen whether certain areas like Dharamsala, Jaipur, and others will continue to host games, considering the possibility of blackouts within the respective states. Watch CNN-News18 here. Stay updated with all the latest news on IPL 2025, including the schedule, Points Table, IPL Orange Cap, and IPL Purple Cap. Get latest Cricket news, live score and match results on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 11, 2025, 16:30 IST
Eyewitness News
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Eyewitness News
'I am deeply sorry': Rabada as he serves ban for positive drug test
JOHANNESBURG - South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada revealed on Saturday that he was serving a ban from cricket for recreational drug use. Rabada, 29, returned to South Africa last month "for personal reasons" after playing only two matches for Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League. In a statement issued by the South African Cricketers' Association, Rabada said his absence was due to "an adverse analytical finding for the use of a recreational drug", which he said resulted in him serving a provisional suspension. The statement did not specify the length of the suspension or when Rabada would play again, but Rabada said: "I am looking forward to returning to the game I love playing." Gujarat have four fixtures remaining in the league phase of the IPL, starting with a match against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday. The team is also well placed to qualify for the play-offs after winning seven of their 10 fixtures. Rabada is South Africa's leading fast bowler. He has taken 327 wickets in 70 Tests and is expected to play a key role for South Africa in the World Test Championship final against Australia starting at Lord's in London on June 11. He said in his statement: "I am deeply sorry to all those that I have let down. I will never take the privilege of playing cricket for granted. This privilege is much larger than me. It goes beyond my personal aspirations." He added, "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."
News.com.au
04-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Huge drugs bombshell rocks World Test Championship
South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada revealed on Saturday that he was serving a ban from cricket for recreational drug use. Rabada, 29, returned to South Africa last month 'for personal reasons' after playing only two matches for Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League. In a statement issued by the South African Cricketers' Association, Rabada said his absence was due to 'an adverse analytical finding for the use of a recreational drug' which he said resulted in him serving a provisional suspension. The statement did not specify the length of the suspension or when Rabada would play again but Rabada said: 'I am looking forward to returning to the game I love playing.' Gujarat have four fixtures remaining in the league phase of the IPL, starting with a match against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday. The team is also well placed to qualify for the play-offs after winning seven of their 10 fixtures. Rabada is South Africa's leading fast bowler. He has taken 327 wickets in 70 Tests and is expected to play a key role for South Africa in the World Test Championship final against Australia starting at Lord's in London on June 11. He said in his statement: 'I am deeply sorry to all those that I have let down. I will never take the privilege of playing cricket for granted. This privilege is much larger than me. It goes beyond my personal aspirations.' He added: '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. According to ESPNcricinfo, Rabada's transgression occurred during the recent SA20 competition, with the publication also reporting the substance was not a performance-enhancing drug. It leaves South African cricket officials with the tough option of standing Rabada down for discipinary reasons should his drug ban expire before the showdown with Australia.
NZ Herald
03-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Cricket: South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada admits recreational drug use, serving suspension before World Test Championship final
South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada revealed on Sunday (local time) that he was serving a ban from cricket for recreational drug use. Rabada, 29, returned to South Africa last month 'for personal reasons' after playing only two matches for Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League. In a statement issued by the South African Cricketers' Association, Rabada said his absence was due to 'an adverse analytical finding for the use of a recreational drug' which he said resulted in him serving a provisional suspension. The statement did not specify the length of the suspension or when Rabada would play again but the fast bowler said: 'I am looking forward to returning to the game I love playing.' Gujarat have four fixtures remaining in the league phase of the IPL, starting with a match against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday (Indian time). The team is also well placed to qualify for the play-offs after winning seven of their 10 fixtures.
