Megan Schutt suspended for prescription medication breach

Megan Schutt has copped a two-match suspension for failing to adhere to requirements around the use of prescription medication.

The veteran Australia pacer will miss Thursday’s third and final T20I against New Zealand at North Sydney Oval, as well as the Adelaide Strikers’ campaign opener of Weber WBBL 12 against Melbourne Stars on October 31.

A statement from Cricket Australia said: “The breach was a failure to adhere to requirements under the Sports Science and Sports Medicine guidelines with regard to prescription medication.

“This relates to a single incidence which occurred while out of competition and was not for performance enhancing purposes.

“We will continue to provide appropriate support to Megan and reinforce the standards and responsibilities expected of everyone representing our game.”

Schutt, 33, said she had accepted the penalty. “I fully accept the penalty handed down and apologise for failing to meet the standards expected of me,” Schutt’s statement read. “I’m sorry for the attention this has caused and appreciate the support I’ve received.”

“While this occurred out of competition and was not performance related, I understand that I am responsible for following the Sports Science and Sports Medicine Guidelines, which players receive regular education on, and I should have adhered to these guidelines.”

Women’s T20 Series v New Zealand
First T20I: Australia won by two wickets

Second T20I: Australia won by 40 runs

Third T20I: Thursday, October 22

All matches played at North Sydney Oval starting at 7:15pm AEDT

Australia T20I squad: Sophie Molineux (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham

New Zealand T20I squad: Melie Kerr (c), Eden Carson, Flora Devonshire, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis (wk), Bella James, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Izzy Sharp