Following a review of their recreational drug policy, the ECB introduced a series of changes, but the confidentiality policy was not among them.

Under the updated policy, first- and second-time offenders will be slapped with a heavier fine, with the sanction for the latter being raised from 5% of the player’s annual salary across teams to 10%, while the 21-day ban, which led to the subsequent public exposure and ouster of Alex Hales from England’s World Cup squad, was scrapped. However, there was no change to the rules of confidentiality, which had come under the scrutiny in the aftermath of the Hales incident.

As per the rules, first-time offenders will be brought to the notice of the ECB’s chief medical officer and a few other administrative officials, in addition to the director of development and welfare of the Professional Cricketers’ Association, in conjunction with whom the policy has been formulated, and the respective county’s chief medical officer.

“We can confirm that there has been an update to the Recreational Drugs Policy for 2020,” the spokesperson said. “This was part of a broad consultation involving stakeholders from the wider game, including first-class counties and PCA.

“The policy takes into account the important consideration of player welfare whilst ensuring there are meaningful sanctions for each violation. There was further consensus from all parties that any bans will be made public.”