Top 5 doping cases in cricket

Normally, one would associate the word ‘doping’ with semi-conductor physics. In simple terms, it is the addition of impurities into an extremely pure semi-conductor in order to change its electrical properties.

The use of such impurities, or drugs, in order to improve a sportsperson’s performance, has long become the  ‘Dark Mark’ hovering over the world of sport. It has led to immediate derailment of flourishing careers, a multitude of legal issues, and numerous health risks. The likes of Ben Johnson, Lance Armstrong and Marion Jones, who were once role-models for younger generations, have fallen into disgrace over doping offences, bringing severe emotional trauma not only to themselves, but to sport lovers around the world.

Cricket, too, hasn’t been immune to such negative influences. With fresh cases coming to light at different times in the year, the general feeling is that it may not be the ‘gentleman’s game’ anymore.

Here are the top 5 doping cases in cricket:

5.  Jesse Ryder (New Zealand)

Jesse Ryder of New Zealand

The troubled left-handed batsman, on a self-imposed exile from international cricket since February 2012, doesn’t seem to have learned from his near-death experience a few months ago. It emerged that he had tested positive for two banned stimulants present in two weight-loss supplement tablets he had taken in March 2013.

The NZ Sports Tribunal handed him a six-month ban, but since the offence had been committed in March, the punishment was back-dated to April, thus making Ryder eligible to play in October. The tribunal accepted that the portly southpaw had ingested the supplements only to keep his weight down and not to boost his on-field performance.

Ryder is fortunate enough to escape the maximum sentence of two years. He will do well to be cautious in the future.