Series Star Against Bangladesh, Australia Pacer Megan Schutt Is Banned for Two Matches

Megan Schutt was the player of the series in Australia's three-match one-day series against Bangladesh, producing outstanding performances throughout. But Cricket Australia has now banned the in-form pacer for two matches, after she failed to follow the rules governing medication taken on medical advice outside competition.

Cricket Australia announced the ban in a statement on Thursday. The statement made clear that the medication involved is not used to enhance performance — in other words, this is not a doping case involving a performance-boosting substance.

Because of the ban, the 33-year-old Schutt will miss the third T20 international against New Zealand. She will also be unavailable for the Adelaide Strikers' opening match of the Women's Big Bash League. The two-match ban covers all international and domestic cricket.

In its statement, Cricket Australia said: 'This breach occurred due to a failure to comply with the conditions set under the direction of a Sports Science and Sports Medicine physician. The incident took place outside competition and had no connection with performance enhancement.'

The statement added that Cricket Australia would continue to provide Schutt with the necessary support, and would reaffirm the standards and responsibilities expected of everyone who represents the game.

Schutt has accepted the punishment. According to the statement, she admitted responsibility for the incident, which took place before the Bangladesh series. Medication taken on a doctor's advice for personal use outside competition is subject to strict rules; under anti-doping authority rules such medication may be legal, but strict instructions still apply to its personal use — and failing to follow those instructions is what led to the sanction.

Notably, while the failure to follow the rules was under investigation, Schutt played four matches. Among them were the three one-day internationals against Bangladesh, in which she was one of her team's standout bowlers.

Her bowling figures in the Bangladesh series were eye-catching. She took 2 wickets for 19 runs in the first ODI, 4 for 36 in the second, and 4 for just 16 runs in the third — ten wickets in three matches, earning her the player of the series award.

The ban, arriving immediately after that award-winning series, is undoubtedly a blow for the Australian women's team. They will have to face New Zealand in the deciding third T20 without their experienced pacer.

The wording of Cricket Australia's statement makes clear, however, that the board does not view the matter as doping; it is essentially a failure to comply with medical conditions and procedures. That is why the sanction has been kept to two matches.

After serving the two-match ban, Schutt will be free to return to the field. If she maintains the form she showed against Bangladesh, her place in the Australia side should not be in question — but the episode stands as a warning to other cricketers: every condition governing medication use must be followed exactly, even outside competition.