Ireland cricketer Rebecca Stokell has begun a voluntary suspension after acknowledging an inadvertent breach of reporting requirements linked to the use of prescription medication.
The International Cricket Council confirmed that Stokell, 26, was drug tested after Ireland’s defeat by Sri Lanka at the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in June. The test returned an adverse finding for a specified substance, which the ICC said was not performance-enhancing.
Stokell said she accepted responsibility for failing to follow the relevant reporting requirements and had voluntarily suspended herself while the ICC investigation continues.
“I fully accept my mistake and have voluntarily entered into a period of suspension ahead of the findings being returned,” she said. “While this was not performance-related in any way, I understand that I am responsible for following the anti-doping guidelines.”
Graeme West, Cricket Ireland’s director of high performance, said the organisation was supporting Stokell while stressing that players must comply with anti-doping rules. He added that the incident underlined the importance of regularly educating Ireland’s international players about their responsibilities.
Stokell made her international debut in 2017 and has played 109 matches for Ireland across all formats.
Sources: BBC Sport.