Cricket: Stemp is cleared of taking drugs

RICHARD STEMP was cleared of taking drugs by the Test and County Cricket Board's disciplinary committee after a three-hour hearing in Birmingham yesterday.

The Worcestershire spinner convinced the committee that the banned amphetamine for which he tested positive had been administered to him without his knowledge.

Traces of the drug were found in a urine sample supplied by Stemp on 18 July during Worcestershire's County Championship match against Middlesex at Uxbridge. But Stemp insisted he was not responsible for the routine test proving positive.

Worcestershire added their support for Stemp and the disciplinary committee decided to take no action, in spite of confirming that 'a technical offence had been committed'.

A TCCB spokesman said: 'The committee heard evidence from Richard Stemp and from Worcestershire. It was satisfied that he had not knowingly taken the amphetamines and that they had been administered to him without his knowledge and without his approval or authority.'

'We are pleased and relieved at the outcome,' Mike Vockins, the Worcestershire secretary, said. 'It is clear to us that Richard has been an unwitting victim in this case. He has been able to explain events to the satisfaction of the discipline committee inquiry.'