Megan Schutt apologises after two-match ban for prescription medication breach

Australia bowler Megan Schutt has apologised after being handed a two-match ban for breaching prescription medication requirements, serving the first match of her suspension on Thursday night when the final T20 of the series with New Zealand in Sydney was washed out.

Cricket Australia announced the sanction on Thursday and said the breach was not related to performance-enhancing substances. The 33-year-old strike bowler has been a mainstay of Australia’s women’s team since her debut in 2012. Schutt said in a statement: "I fully accept the penalty handed down and apologise for failing to meet the standards expected of me. I’m sorry for the attention this has caused and appreciate the support I’ve received. While this occurred out of competition and was not performance related, I understand that I am responsible for following the Sports Science and Sports Medicine Guidelines, which players receive regular education on and I should have adhered to these guidelines."

Cricket Australia said Schutt failed to adhere to requirements under Sports Science and Sports Medicine guidelines with regard to prescription medication. The governing body said the breach related to "a single incidence which occurred while out of competition and was not for performance enhancing purposes". "The two-match ban includes all international and domestic cricket. We will continue to provide appropriate support to Megan and reinforce the standards and responsibilities expected of everyone representing our game," Cricket Australia added.

Schutt is listed among the top-10 all-time wicket-takers in women’s cricket. The South Australian has taken 319 wickets in her 244 internationals – four Tests, 114 ODIs and 126 T20s. The bowler most recently played for Australia in the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, when she starred with 10 wickets in the series.

Schutt is expected to serve the second game of her ban when her Adelaide Strikers open their WBBL campaign against the Melbourne Stars on 31 October.