Wood tested positive for terbutaline in September 2021 but is free to return to action immediately after the ban was backdated
Derbyshire batter Tom Wood has been hit with a six-month ban after testing positive for a banned substance.
The 28-year-old returned an adverse out-of-competition result in September 2021 for terbutaline, generally found in inhalers and used to treat symptoms of asthma.
Wood, who has been an asthma sufferer since the age of 12, attempted to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption retrospectively but the request was rejected in December 2021.
In February, the England and Wales Cricket Board charged him with two anti-doping violations which carried a punishment of between two and four years.
A hearing in June was formed to determine the sanction with the ECB accepting Wood "did not intend to cheat" and "that his actions were not 'intentional'".
Central to the case was the grey area around Wood's status as a second team player and whether TUEs had to be applied for in advance.
Upon applying retrospectively for the exemption his plea was rejected. Though mainly part of the Derbyshire second XI he played 17 times for the first team in 2021 amid an injury crisis and a Covid outbreak.
Wood is now free to return for Derbyshire in time for the One-Day Cup (Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
James Fuller, the ECB's anti-doping and recreational manager, gave evidence on behalf of the governing body but admitted a clear message regarding what was required of first and second-team players was lacking.
However, Fuller added he informed players during a series of presentations "if you are in any doubt then apply in advance" in relation to TUEs.
David Casement QC criticised the lack of clarity around the subject but accepted that Wood should have made an earlier submission, advice he had been given both during previous sessions and by the club.
He was however cleared of any significant fault and handed a six-month ban, which started one month before the date of the provisional suspension, January 8, 2022.
Free to play since the end of July 7, Wood played for Derbyshire against Yorkshire in the Second XI Championship, scoring 21 and seven in his first outing since the end of last season.
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