Image Credit- AFP
Zimbabwe Cricket has suspended All-rounders Wessly
Madhevere and Brandon Mavuta effective immediately due to “allegedly
breaching anti-doping rules”. Following an in-house dope test where they
tested positive for a prohibited recreational drug in an out-of-competition
instance, they have been suspended from all cricket-related activities until
their hearing.
They will be appearing for a disciplinary hearing
soon, where the duration of their ban will probably be determined. They have
been charged under the ZC Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials.
Up until last week, Madhevere and Mavuta were both a
part of the Zimbabwean team that played a home series against Ireland. Mavuta
only participated in the third T20I and the three ODIs that followed, although
Madhevere participated in all three T20Is.
Madhevere, who debuted for Zimbabwe in 2020, has
participated in two Tests, 36 ODIs, and 60 T20Is. Mavuta made his debut for the
national team in 2018 and has since played in four Tests, twelve ODIs, and ten
T20Is.
After the Ireland series, Mavuta did not play
competitive cricket again, although Madhevere made an appearance for
Mashonaland Eagles in Zimbabwe’s ongoing first-class Logan Cup, scoring four
and claiming two wickets for thirty-four.
Madhevere’s and Mavuta’s suspensions come a day after
Zimbabwe’s head coach Dave Houghton resigned from his post, as they failed to
qualify for the 2024 T20 World Cup after also missing out on the 2023 ODI World
Cup.