'Rabada not obliged to reveal more about recreational drug use finding; issue is whether he needs help'
The Proteas pace bowler has been cleared to play after serving a recreational drug use ban. We interview Daily Maverick's Craig Ray.
FILE: South Africa's Kagiso Rabada prepares to deliver a ball during the fourth one-day international (ODI) cricket match between South Africa and Australia at SuperSport Park in Centurion on 15 September 2023. Picture: PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP
CapeTalk's John Maytham talks to Craig Ray, sports editor of Daily Maverick.
South Africa cricketer Kagiso Rabada has made local and international headlines, after failing a drugs test which found a recreational drug in his system.
The test was conducted by the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport (SAIDS) on 21 January during the SA20 competition, with Rabada finding out about the positive result a few months later on 1 April.
RELATED: Proteas' Rabada back in IPL after serving drug ban
The pace bowler didn’t contest the finding and waived the right for a B-sample to be analysed, as Daily Maverick reports, 'clearly knowing that he was responsible'.
He's since been cleared to play after serving a recreational drug use ban.
John Maytham talks to Daily Maverick sports editor Craig Ray about whether Rabada should have publicly revealed more details.
As the drug in question is not a performance-enhancing one, this should not really concern anyone outside the cricketer's immediate circle, is Ray's view.
"What Rabada took is his business - the fact of the matter is, he failed a drugs test and he's gone through a legal process. That is in the news, and that is newsworthy, but I don't think he has an obligation to tell us what he took."
Craig Ray, Sports Editor - Daily Maverick
"It might come out in the SAIDS report or not, but I don't think it rests on him to explain himself completely."
Craig Ray, Sports Editor - Daily Maverick
For Ray, the bigger question is whether this is the start of a problem for Rabada, and if he needs help.
"We might all be curious as to what he took... and speculate about whether it's something that's illegal (as opposed to marijuana) and maybe there's a crime that's involved, but I think then we're really starting to split hairs."
Craig Ray, Sports Editor - Daily Maverick
"I'm more concerned about whether this is the beginning of a habit - is this a problem and does he need guidance... whether he's ok essentially as an athlete and as a person."
Craig Ray, Sports Editor - Daily Maverick
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