Anti-doping & Recreational Drugs

Anti-doping

Since 2015, the World Anti-Doping Code came into effect, covering all sports across every country.

The changes that cricketers and support personnel should be aware of are as follows:

Increased sanction of four years for serious offences
Less series offences are now likely to receive a two-year sanction
There are now two more anti-doping violations, complicity and prohibited associations, taking the total to ten

The ECB issues revised anti-doping rules at the start of every year in line with the requirements of the WADA code. It is of the upmost importance that all players, coaches and support staff familiarise themselves with the anti-doping regulations.

Recreational Drugs

In addition to the ongoing Anti-Doping Programme, ECB operate a Recreational Drugs Programme which has been developed in partnership by ECB, PCA and the first-class counties. It is intended to fill a gap in the WADA Code and Prohibited List to screen for illicit substances out of competition.

As part of this process all registered professional cricketers provide hair samples for analysis. Hair samples are utilised as they provide a much longer window of detection for recreational drugs.

The primary objective of the policy is to identify players who may have serious issues with substance abuse and ensure that they are provided with the most appropriate course of treatment. Only if the player fails to comply, or commits a second violation, are they liable to sanction and public disclosure.

Positive tests for recreational drugs following in-competition tests conducted under the anti-doping programme by UKAD continue to be dealt with in accordance with anti-doping rules. Counselling and treatment would still be made available to the player.

Please note players must complete the tutorial that is sent to you via email and not by watching the video below. Any problems please contact alison.prosser@thepca.co.uk.

Play Recreational Drugs Video

Further Information

To check your medications go to www.globaldro.com if you aren’t sure or can’t run your search, ask someone to help
There is also a lot of useful information at www.ukad.org.uk/publications
ECB also have a dedicated Anti-Doping section on their website www.ecb.co.uk/antidoping
The ECB Anti-Doping and Illicit Drugs Programme Manager James Fuller can be contacted on james.fuller@ecb.co.uk or 07785 517 134
PCA Confidential Helpline 0844 800 6873
If you have any questions please contact PCA Director of Member Services Ian Thomas, ian.thomas@thepca.co.uk or 0792 0575 578

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Futures Awards

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A PLAYER’S OVERALL INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE

In 2006, the PCA undertook an extensive review of all player-performance related statistics in the game. Our results highlighted that cricket statistics are:

Too focused on individual elements of the game – averages, run rates, wickets taken.
Not clear and not relevant to all cricket – ICC rankings and other international stats.
Not reflective of a player’s total contribution to his team.

Cricket is a game that requires players to be skilled at multiple disciplines. To take wickets, to score runs, to take catches, to affect run outs. The value to a side of a genuine all-rounder cannot be underestimated.

The PCA MVP are calculated by combining a player’s overall individual performances.

HOW DID WE DESIGN IT?

In April 2006, the PCA set up its MVP Committee. During the 2006 season, the Committee carried out the following steps:

An overview of existing player related statistics – strengths and limitations.
The engagement of a cross section of players to design an outline PCA player rankings concept and its objectives.
The initial design of a formula to process a player’s contribution to any match.
The imputing of the first half of the season’s scores.

A mid-season review with 10 current players and a refinement of the formula.
The completion of the 2006 domestic season’s results.
An end of season review – focusing on comparisons of performances.

Current, past first-class and international cricketers were involved at every step of the design process. The PCA invested 100’s of hours in the design and development of the ratings formula. It is truly reflective of the players’ view of the game.

THE FORMULA

The PCA MVP is a cumulative points system that rewards players for every run scored, every wicket taken and every catch held – and, how well they do it.

A player achieves bonus points based in certain criteria. An overview of the formula is set out below:

BATTING + BOWLING + FIELDING + CAPTAINCY + WINNING = TOTAL MVP

POINTS

BATTING

The basis of the batting points take into account runs scored, the rate scored at and the % of the team’s total.
Batting bonus points are achieved for:
Reaching a century
Scoring over 30% of a team’s runs
Achieving a benchmark run-rate (varies per tournament, i.e. 1.5 runs per ball in the T20)

BOWLING

The basis for the bowling points take into account the number of wickets and economy rates
Bowlers achieve higher points for getting out higher order batsmen
Bowling bonus points are achieved for:
Taking 5 or more wickets in an innings
Bowling maidens
Achieving a benchmark economy rate (varies per tournament, i.e. less that 6 runs per over in T20

FIELDING

Catches
Run outs – direct hits
Run outs – assists
Stumpings
Bonus for 5 fielding dismissals in an innings

CAPTAINCY

A captain of a winning side will receive a points bonus

WINNING TEAMS

All members of a winning team receive a points bonus.

For more information about the MVP, please contact communications@thepca.co.uk