Giddins test hearing today

The Sussex fast bowler Ed Giddins, 25, faces the Test and County Cricket Board's disciplinary committee at Lord's today after being tested positive by a Sports Council random drugs check following the match against Kent at Tunbridge Wells at the end of May.

His Sussex career may depend on the outcome of the hearing. Giddins's contract with Sussex expires at the end of the season, and he has enough potential for a couple of leading counties to be awaiting developments.

Giddins, who toured Pakistan with England A last winter, will be represented by the Cricketers' Association lawyer Lawrie Doffman and the Sussex secretary Nigel Bett.

Sussex have declined to comment on the issue, insisting that it has been a TCCB matter. Giddins, meanwhile, has stayed in the team and he recently recorded a six-wicket return against Yorkshire at Eastbourne.

The only known precedent of a player failing a TCCB drugs test in England was Yorkshire's Richard Stemp. The TCCB accepted that a drink had been spiked without his knowledge.