New Delhi: Former Australia skipper Tim Paine has hit out at the secrecy surrounding Kagiso Rabada’s failed drug test, demanding full disclosure from the authorities handling the matter.

In a shocking announcement last weekend, the South African pacer revealed that he is serving a provisional suspension after testing positive for a banned recreational drug. Rabada had travelled back home last month after playing just two Indian Premier League (IPL) matches for Gujarat Titans, citing personal reasons.

Paine condemns secrecy surrounding Rabada’s failed drug test

“It stinks. I don’t like this use around personal issues, and it being used to hide stuff that isn’t a personal issue,” Paine told ‘SEN Radio‘ on Monday.

“If you have a professional sportsman that’s tested for recreational drugs during a tournament in which he is playing, that doesn’t fall under personal issues for me.

“That falls under you have broken your contract. That is not a personal issue; that is something that is happening in your personal life,” he added.

Rabada tested positive for the banned substance during the SAT20 league in January.

“Taking drugs – recreational or performance enhancing – is not a personal issue that can just be hidden for a month. A guy can be taken out of the IPL, moved back to South Africa and we just let it slide under the rug. Then we will bring him back once he’s already served his ban,” Paine said.

Rabada’s potential return to cricket amidst controversy

As per the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code and regulations, the quantum of punishment for the use of recreational drugs could be anything between three months and four years.

The time frame of Rabada’s return to action is still not confirmed, but reports are doing the rounds that he may be eligible to play for South Africa at the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia in June.

Rabada is a key player for the Proteas in their bid to win their maiden ICC title. He has played 241 international games for South Africa across all three formats, including 70 Tests.

“Not only will play against Australia in the World Test Championship but he’s available to be playing now in the IPL. No one knew about what he’s taken, what he was given or who the organising body was that oversaw it.

“If he is going to take drugs and be caught doing it I think people deserve to know what he’s taken, how long he is being rubbed out for and who sanctioned it. People need to be held to account for stuff like that,” Paine added.

WADA regulations and potential penalties for recreational drug use

Drugs like cocaine, heroin, MDMA and cannabis fall in the category of ‘Substances of Abuse’. WADA recognises they can be used for reasons un to sports performance enhancement.

The use of such substances carries a maximum of a four-year ban, but if an athlete can establish that the use occurred out-of-competition and is not directly to performance, the ban could be decreased to three months with no need to further inspect the degree of fault.

The sportsperson’s ban can be reduced further to two months if he/she is willing to undergo a rehab and treatment program,  approved by the South African Anti-Doping body.