Sean Williams’ long international career has drawn to an abrupt close after Zimbabwe Cricket announced that the former captain will no longer be considered for national selection following his admission of drug addiction during a recent internal inquiry.
The 39-year-old batter, who debuted in 2005 and went on to serve Zimbabwe across formats for two decades, disclosed during an investigation that he had been “struggling with drug addiction” and had “voluntarily entered rehabilitation,” the board said in a statement. The inquiry was launched after Williams withdrew from the squad on the eve of September’s T20 World Cup qualifying tournament hosted in Harare.
Zimbabwe Cricket said his sudden withdrawal was likely linked to “potential drug tests at the competition.” The board also noted his “history of disciplinary issues and repeated unavailability,” though it commended his decision to seek treatment.
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Despite the revelation, Zimbabwe went on to win the eight-team African qualifier and secure a spot in next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Williams’ contract will expire at the end of the year and will not be renewed, effectively ending the left-hander’s career in national colours. Over 20 years, he appeared in 24 Tests, 164 ODIs and 85 T20 internationals, compiling a highest Test score of 154 against Afghanistan last December.
The episode adds to a difficult period for Zimbabwean cricket, coming two years after former captain Brendan Taylor admitted to cocaine use that led to an attempted blackmail by match-fixers. Taylor, who denied fixing matches but accepted receiving 15,000 dollars, served a three-and-a-half-year ban and returned to the national side in August.
Zimbabwe Cricket has not disclosed which substance Williams admitted to using but said the immediate priority was his recovery, even as his international future is now closed.
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