Megan Schutt accepts two-match ban for breaching Cricket Australia's medication rules

Megan Schutt has been suspended for two matches after Cricket Australia found the fast bowler breached its requirements on the use of prescription medication

The ban covers all international and domestic cricket. It rules the 33-year-old out of Australia's final Twenty20 international against New Zealand at North Sydney Oval on Thursday, and out of the Adelaide Strikers' opening fixture of WBBL 12 against the Melbourne Stars on 31 October.

Cricket Australia said Schutt had failed to adhere to requirements under its Sports Science and Sports Medicine guidelines. The board described the matter as a single incidence that occurred out of competition, and said it was not for performance-enhancing purposes.

Schutt accepted the sanction without contest. "I fully accept the penalty handed down and apologise for failing to meet the standards expected of me," she said.

What Cricket Australia found

The board set out the breach in narrow terms. It did not name the medication involved, give the date of the incident, or say how the lapse came to light.

The guidelines in question govern how players obtain, declare and use prescription medication. They sit apart from the anti-doping code, and Cricket Australia was explicit that no performance-enhancing substance was involved — a distinction that shapes both the process followed and the penalty available.

The board said it would continue to provide appropriate support to Schutt and to reinforce the standards expected of everyone representing the game.

Schutt accepts the penalty

The bowler issued a short statement alongside the board's. "I'm sorry for the attention this has caused and appreciate the support I've received," she said.

Schutt said the responsibility for following the guidelines was hers, and noted that players receive regular education on them.

Neither statement indicated any dispute over the facts of the case.

Two matches across two competitions

Because the suspension applies across formats and competitions, it is served in two different environments rather than within one series.

The first match falls in the international game, the third and final T20I of New Zealand's tour. The second falls in the domestic game nine days later, when the Strikers begin their WBBL 12 campaign.

Schutt is therefore available again once those two fixtures have passed.

Australia close out the New Zealand series

The immediate playing consequence is limited. Schutt had not appeared in the T20I series against New Zealand before the sanction was announced, so Australia lose a player who was already outside the side for this run of matches.

Australia have also settled the series already, having won the first two fixtures, which leaves Thursday's match at North Sydney Oval as a question of whether the hosts complete a sweep.

New Zealand arrive at the final game looking for a result to take home from the white-ball leg of the tour.

A bowler still taking wickets

The timing is awkward in one respect. Schutt was Australia's most productive bowler in the recent ODI series against Bangladesh, part of the ICC Women's Championship, where she took 10 wickets across the three matches at a cost of 71 runs.

That return underlined her continuing value to the one-day side in the back half of a long international career.

The suspension does not affect her availability beyond the two matches named, and the Strikers will have her for the remainder of their WBBL 12 season.

Cricket Australia confirmed the sanction on Thursday, the same day Australia and New Zealand were due to meet at North Sydney Oval in the match that opens Schutt's two-game ban.

Catch the match live updates, highlights, and full match coverage on CricRadio. Get fast, accurate, and ad-free updates throughout the game. Download the CricRadio app from the Play Store to stay connected. You can also get the live scores of cricket series directly on the CricRadio website for real-time coverage.