Australia seamer Megan Schutt has been suspended by Cricket Australia for two matches for not adhering to strict rules regarding the use of prescription medication, that is not performance enhancing, during an out of competition period.
Schutt, 33, has been suspended for the third T20I against New Zealand and the opening game of the WBBL for Adelaide Strikers after accepting the penalty for a one-off incident that happened during an off period for the Australian team prior to the series against Bangladesh.
CA released a statement on Thursday outlining the suspension.
"The breach was a failure to adhere to requirements under the Sports Science and Sports Medicine guidelines with regard to prescription medication," the statement said.
"This relates to a single incidence which occurred while out of competition and was not for performance enhancing purposes.
"The two-match ban includes all international and domestic cricket.
"We will continue to provide appropriate support to Megan and reinforce the standards and responsibilities expected of everyone representing our game."
Schutt accepted the punishment in a statement of her own.
"I fully accept the penalty handed down and apologise for failing to meet the standards expected of me," Schutt said. "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."
The use of personal prescription medication, that is not performance enhancing, is legal under CA and anti-doping authority rules however there are strict guidelines around such prescriptions being for personal use only.
Schutt did play four matches while an investigation took place into her failure to adhere to those rules during the out of competition period. She took 2 for 49 in a WNCL game for South Australia and followed that with 2 for 19, 4 for 36 and 4 for 16 in the three ODIs against Bangladesh. Schutt was available for the first T20Is against New Zealand on Sunday and Tuesday but was not selected.
Following the investigation's completion Schutt has accepted the two-match penalty and will serve it over the next two games she is available for which is Thursday's third T20I and Strikers opening WBBL game against Melbourne Stars on Saturday October 31.