KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaican and West Indies cricketer, John Campbell, has been banned for four years for “evading, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection” by representatives of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO).

The decision from the Kent Gammon-chaired independent anti-doping disciplinary panel came on Friday.

“The panel does not find, on the evidence presented, that the athlete’s anti-doping violation was not intentional,” the decision stated in part.

Campbell, who turned 29 last month, was represented by attorneys-at-law Ayana Thomas and Mark-Paul Cowan of Nunes, Scholefield, DeLeon & Co, and was supported by the West Indies Players’ Association.

OBSERVER ONLINE has learnt that during the hearing, which was held behind closed doors at an undisclosed location in the Corporate Area, JADCO alleged that Campbell refused to provide a sample to doping control officers at his home on April 20.

According to the decision from the panel, Campbell’s ban is effective May 10, 2022 as that is the date he was notified of the anti-doping rule violation.

OBSERVER ONLINE is yet to ascertain if he intends to appeal.

Campbell, a standout batsman as a national youth player, transitioned to the senior team, making his first-class début for Jamaica against Guyana in 2014. He averages 30.41 in first-class cricket.

He played his first Test for the West Indies in 2019 and, after 20 matches, he averaged 26.11 with three half-centuries. In the two-Test series victory over Bangladesh in June Campbell showed signs of coming to grips with international cricket, averaging 68 with a best of 58 not out.

In six one-day internationals for the West Indies, he averages 49.6 with a best of 179 against Ireland.

– Sanjay Myers