Zimbabwe Cricket has terminated Sean Williams’ national contract and ruled him out of future selection due to his declared struggle with drug addiction. The seasoned cricketer has concurrently entered a voluntary rehabilitation program. This decisive action comes after Williams withdrew from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier 2025 held in Harare.
The cricketer’s unavailability for the qualifier coincided with potential anti-doping examinations. He later confirmed during an investigation that he has been dealing with addiction issues. Zimbabwe Cricket stressed that all contracted players are expected to exhibit unwavering professionalism, discipline, and full compliance with team regulations and anti-doping policies.
A review of Williams’ past conduct revealed a pattern of disciplinary lapses and consistent unavailability, which had previously disrupted team planning and performance. While the cricket board acknowledged and praised his initiative to seek professional help through rehabilitation, it also emphasized that his withdrawal under circumstances involving potential testing was a grave concern regarding professional integrity. Following careful deliberation, Zimbabwe Cricket concluded that Williams will no longer be part of their national squads, and his contract will not be renewed after its current term ends on December 31, 2025.
Williams’ international career, spanning from 2005, saw him represent Zimbabwe in 24 Tests, 164 ODIs, and 85 T20Is. He scored a total of 14 centuries and 56 half-centuries, making him a vital player for the nation across all formats.